Mission

The mission of Reference Services is to ensure the effective use of library resources. This is accomplished in a variety of ways including personal assistance at the library Reference Desk, assistance via email, classroom instruction on the main campus and at outreach sites, and through the provision of guides and tutorials.

Reference Desk Hours

Normal reference desk hours during the academic year are Mon-Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m, and by appointment (in person or via Zoom Video Chat. Hours during summer, holidays, and break periods will vary, so be sure to check the library website or My Marian for hours during those periods. For assistance after hours, use one of the other contact methods listed below.

Reference Assistance

If you need information and are not sure where to begin, contact the Reference Desk.

Guides and Tutorials

The following guides are available via the library Web page:

Subject specific tutorials are available via Marian Online 2. Your username is the first part of your Marian University email address — i.e. everything before “@marianuniversity.edu.” Your password is your Marian University email password.

Classroom Instruction

Course-specific instruction on the use of library resources is available on the main campus and at outreach sites. Sessions should be scheduled at least one week in advance.

For more information about library instruction and for tips regarding library research assignments, see the Library Instruction and Information for Faculty page.

Library Tours

Tours are available throughout the year. To schedule a tour contact the Reference Desk.

Information Literacy

The Association of College and Research Libraries defines Information Literacy as a “set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” Information Literacy includes the ability to retrieve information as well as think critically about and evaluate information.

For further information on Information Literacy in Higher Education, follow the links below: