Ask A Librarian

By e-mail

E-mail the library staff, who frequently check for questions throughout the day, Monday through Friday.

Instant Message

  • We're available for IM M-F, 8am-6pm, and Sat-Sun 12pm-6pm
  • If we're not available now, try e-mail, phone, or in person

Click here to chat with us

By phone

Best for questions where you need immediate feedback, but cannot come to the library. Call one of our reference desks. Please check our hours.

The area code for all the libraries is 269.

  • Central Reference: 387-5178
  • Science Reference: 387-5141
  • Government Documents: 387-5208
  • Rare Books & Special Collections: 387-5221
  • Education Library: 387-5223
  • Music & Dance Library: 387-5237
  • Archives & Regional History: 387-8490
  • Visual Resources Library: 387-4111

In person

Visit one of our reference desks in Waldo Library:

Or visit a branch library:

Off campus library services are available at the branch campuses by appointment.

 

About reference services

Our reference services are available primarily for students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Western Michigan University. We will answer questions from the community and other persons if they pertain to the WMU Libraries' collections and resources, including government resources and information.

Types of Questions

Reference questions are usually concerned with research, how to find information, and learning about library resources and how to use them. Use the various services to get help with such questions as:

  • Where should I start research on a topic?
  • Can you help me find a citation (or address, quotation, fact, statistic, etc.) ?
  • How do I select the proper database to search? Once I select a database, how do I do the search?
  • I'm having trouble connecting to the Libraries' databases...
  • I have looked in a number of places for my topic -- where else should I look?
  • Information about the University Libraries' resources, services, and facilities.
  • Help with quick verification of facts, such as addresses, telephone numbers, parts of bibliographic citations, book and journal holdings of the libraries, and other brief questions.