ASK US!! Email Reference
General email reference service is available to the students, faculty and staff of Humboldt State University with valid HSU email accounts. As time permits, we will answer inquiries from unaffiliated requesters about HSU history, HSU Library services, or unique materials from our Humboldt County Collection.
Service Guidelines
- The email reference service is provided to help users become self-sufficient in their research endeavors.
- The Library provides advice on how to begin a research with suggestions of possible print or electronic resources, search strategies, and other non-HSU libraries/resources, etc.
- Whenever possible, users will be referred to electronic resources that may provide them with the information requested.
- You may ask questions you would normally ask at our reference desk, such as:
- Where would I begin to look for information on a topic?
- I have looked in all the usual places, but where else might I look?
- Does the Library have a subject librarian who could help me with this topic?
- Specific ready reference questions; e.g., quick factual information (When did the Challenger space shuttle explode?), do we have a particular book or journal? (check the Library Catalog first), etc.
- Verification of references
- Assistance with the Library's online catalog and other online services
- Questions about library services and facilities
- Citations to the source of information will be given whenever possible.
- Interpretations of information will not be given.
- The Library does NOT perform information searches for users, create or check lists (e.g., bibliographies), or answer questions about medical or legal advice, citation form, statistics or class assignments.
Turn-Around Time
Your question will be forwarded to the email reference coordinator in the Library. Program-related and subject-related inquiries will be forwarded to the appropriate individual, if necessary.
Requesters may expect a response by 5:00 PM the following weekday. However, response time may vary depending upon the nature of the inquiry.
Submitting a Reference Question
Please Note: General email reference service is available to the students, faculty, and staff of Humboldt State University with valid HSU email accounts.