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Reference and Instruction

Reference librarians answer research questions and help users search the library online catalog and databases and locate books, periodicals, government documents and other types of material in the library.

Reference Desk Help

Call the Reference Desk at 437-5766 or come by during the following hours:

• Monday-Thursday-- 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; 6 p.m.-10 p.m.,
• Saturday -- 1-5 p.m.
• Sunday -- 2-6 p.m., 7-10 p.m.

E-Mail Reference

In addition to Reference Desk help, e-mail reference service is available for short reference questions that can be answered online. Send e-mail to reference@vassar.edu.

Research Consultations

For more in-depth, one-on-one research help, make an appointment for a research consultation with a reference librarian. If you are doing research in science, art, or music, your request will be sent to librarians who specialize in these areas. Forms for requesting a research consultation are at the Reference Desk and online.

For Faculty

Library Instruction

Information about scheduling Library Instruction.

Research Guides

Reference librarians will work with you to prepare online research guides on a particular subject or for a particular course. Contact Kathy Kurosman or Reference if you would like an online research guide.

Mediated Database Searching

The purpose of the mediated database searching service is to support the academic and scholarly research needs of Vassar faculty and students by supplementing the readily available indexes and abstracts. Request forms for database searches may be filled out at the Reference Desk. Please allow 3-5 days for processing of the request. There is no charge for this service.

Staff by Department