About Reference and Public Services in the MSU Libraries

Arlene Weismantel is the Head of Main Library Reference at MSU.

Main Library Reference (with a walk-up desk on 1-East in the Main Library, and virtual services through e-mail and chat) is one of several units in the Public Services Division:

• The Government Documents unit also provides service at the 1-East desk (stacks search and Census Alcove map available with passworded Intranet access).
• Circulation Services operates an Information Desk.
• Eight branch libraries and the College of Law Library offer public services.
• Distance Learning Services (formerly LDLS and Outreach Services) provides support for distance education students and others using library online resources.
• Library Instruction offers online guides and sessions for classes.

Practical aspects of the Main Library Reference operation:

• Main Library Reference unit home page: services, staff, hours.
• Current weeks of the Reference Desk Schedule via When2Work (staff login).
• "Internet Reference Workstation and World Wide Web Browser Access Policy" statement.
• Reference blog.

Online reference sources:

• Research guides prepared by MSU librarians, by topic and for courses.
• Ready Reference/Quick Fact sources on the Web, and the Reference Bookmarks page: MSU pages.
• Fifty top online ready reference sites.

Reports on Main Library Reference operations:

• "Main Library Reference Unit Goals and Objectives" for 2004-2005, 2003-2004 and 2002-2003.
• "Main Library Reference Annual Reports" for 2003-2004, 2002-2003, 2001-2002, 2000-2001, 1999-2000 and 1998-1999.
• Main Library Reference Collection Development Statement.
• Will this be a busy week at the Reference Desk? See past tallies from 1999-2001.

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URL=http://www.lib.msu.edu/sowards/home/home8.htm
Updated 12 October 2007