Adopted February, 2013

About the Service

The A. C. Clark Library’s Email Reference Service is provided by ÐßÐßÂþ»­ Library faculty to serve the informational needs of ÐßÐßÂþ»­ students, faculty, staff and members of the surrounding community. Priority will be given to questions from current BSU students, faculty and staff.

Service Guidelines

  • The email reference service gives starting points for research, as well as advice on search strategies. It does not give in-depth research assistance or homework advice.
  • Users will be referred when possible to print, electronic or other resources and services of the A. C. Clark Library.
  • If you need in-depth research assistance, please visit the library during our Reference Desk’s service hours or call the Information Desk at 218-755-3345, and ask for a Reference Librarian.

Hours of Operation and Turn-around Time

  • Users of the service can submit questions at any time, except during extended break periods when the A. C. Clark Library is closed.
  • Librarians respond to email requests only during normal weekday business hours– Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The Library will try to respond to email requests within 24 hours during a typical work week.
  • The service is not staffed on weekday nights, weekends, holidays or during other periods when the campus or Library may be closed; however, users may still submit questions during these times (except extended break periods).
  • Questions received during the weekend or holidays will be treated as if received on the first weekday that the Library re-opens for service. Questions received on a weeknight are answered the following morning.

Types of Questions Answered by the Service

  • Questions on where to begin research on a topic, as well as advice on search strategies
  • Questions about A. C. Clark Library services and facilities
  • Questions about the Library home page
  • Questions regarding off-campus access to the Library’s electronic resources

Types of Questions not Answered by the Service

  • Requests for homework assistance, or interpretation of course assignments
  • Requests for medical or legal advice
  • Questions requiring in-depth research assistance may be directed to the Reference Desk during our Reference Desk’s service hours or call the Information Desk at 218-755-3345, and ask for a Reference Librarian.

Service Referrals

  • Questions regarding other units of the A. C. Clark Library will be routed as appropriate. Contact information for units within the Library.
  • If you have questions about Interlibrary Loan services, your questions may be answered on the Interlibrary Loan page.
  • If you have questions about the University Archives, please email libraryreference@bemidjistate.edu.
  • If you have questions about ÐßÐßÂþ»­, your questions may be answered by the . Questions about the A. C. Clark Library may be answered by the Library home page.
  • Questions about the status of your borrowing privileges and/or fines/blocks on your Library account can be called in to the Circulation Desk at (218) 755-3345, during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., M-F).

If you Need more Information

Please call the Information Desk at 218-755-3345.

To submit your question via email, go to the Ask a Question page.

Note: Adapted in part from Email Reference Service Policy page.