Remote Assistance from a Librarian
You can get remote assistance from librarians in several ways:
By Telephone
During open library hours, you can call the Reference Desks of the Thomas Jefferson Library or Ward E. Barnes Library and speak directly to a Reference Librarian:
- Thomas Jefferson Library - (314) 516-5060
- Ward E. Barnes Library (Nursing, Education, and Optometry ) -
(314) 516-5576
Email – Brief Questions and Answers
This service is best for simple and direct questions. To submit a request, use the following online form:
Email Reference Form |
*Requests received before noon on a working day will normally be answered before noon the next day. Requests received on weekends or holidays may take up to two subsequent working days.
Examples of direct and straightforward questions:
- I'm trying to get the article "Peas on Earth" by Jane Smith in National Vegetables written October 12, 1996.
- Where can I get the book We by Yevgeny Zamyatin?
- What's the best database I can use for information about careers in Nursing?
In-Depth Research Consultation - by Email
If you are working on a paper, have a class project, or need more in-depth assistance than just a simple answer, you can submit a form for a Research Consultation with the results sent to you by Email.
Research Consultation (by Email) Form |
For best results:
- Read all directions carefully.
- Please include full and accurate contact information: telephone number(s) and email address(es).
- When you fill out the form, give as much information as clearly as possible about your topic.
- Note: You also have the option of requesting an In-Person Research Consultation which would require you to come to one of the campus libraries for assistance. Though less convenient, In-Person Research Consultations might be recommended for particularly difficult topics.
*Normally you should receive a response within one to two working days, but some topics may be too complex for preparation via email. In such cases you may be directed to come to the library for in-person assistance with a librarian. Delays may also occur if we need to contact you for clarification.
Chat Research Consultations
You may choose to have your Research Consultation via online chat. You will receive an email from a librarian within one to two working days which will provide you with your appointment time. Please note that chat research consultations may not be suitable for more complex research topics.
Chat Research Consultation Form |
Online Library Tutorials
The UM-St. Louis Libraries offer a number videos and fully interactive tutorials designed by UMSL Librarians to teach library skills. Tutorial topics include: the "Characteristics of Peer Reviewed Articles," how to use the Library's web pages, how to find full-text articles, and how to search the Library Catalog and various Library databases. For a full list of available tutorials, go to:
UM-St. Louis Libraries Online Tutorials |
Library Subject Guides
The Librarians of UM-St. Louis have created and maintain more than 50 online subject guides of available Library resources organized by academic discipline. You can find a list of library reference materials, online databases, and internet resources for areas such as Counseling Psychology, Music, State and Local Government, and Business Writing among many others.
| Library Subject Guides |
| Library Subject Guides Specific to the Discipline of EDUCATION |
| Library Subject Guides Specific to the Discipline of NURSING |