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Faculty Guide: Reference Services

Reference Services

Reference librarians are available to answer your research questions, help with information needs and search strategies, and provide tutoring in the use of electronic information sources.

The library staff strives to make reference services easily accessible in multiple formats.  We are available in-person, by phone, by email, via online chat, and WebEx.

Contact Us by Phone

Reference Desk Phone Number:
(651) 641-8812.

If staff help is not available at the Reference Desk, please check with the Circulation Desk:
(651) 641-8237.

Contact Us by Email

You can email your inquiry to the Reference Desk: reference@csp.edu.  We will do our best to respond to your inquiry within one business day.

Connect With Us via Online Chat

The Library's chat reference service is part of the AskMN Cooperative, which provides chat service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can expect to have your question answered by a CSP Librarian during the following hours:

Monday-Thursday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday: 12:00 - 5:00 PM

Sunday: 4:00 - 8:00 PM

The library’s chat reference service can be accessed here

There will occasionally be times during these hours when no CSP Librarian will be free to pick up your chat session. In these cases, and during hours outside of the above timeframe, your chat request will be picked up by other librarians in the network who are on duty and have some information about our resources. If you'd prefer to deal with a CSP Librarian, send an email to reference@csp.edu or leave a message at (651) 641-8812 and the next Reference Librarian on duty will contact you, likely within 24 hours.

Visit Us in Person

Schedule an appointment or stop by during Reference Desk Hours.

Learn With Us via WebEx

Reference sessions can also be conducted via WebEx, an online conferencing system that allows you to view live presentations from your desktop.  Please email the Reference Desk or your departmental liaison librarian directly.