Research Questions

Faculty members may telephone the Langdell Reference Desk, (617) 496-0569 for immediate research assistance. For more in-depth assistance with a research project, office consultations with reference librarians are available. To make an appointment for a research consultation, contact Suzanne Wones, Assistant Director of Research, Curriculum and Publication Services, 617-496-2108.

Assistance with Electronic Resources and Services

Reference librarians can provide instruction and assistance in using HOLLIS, the union catalog of the Harvard libraries, and the Harvard Libraries portal, which provides access to a wide array of online periodical indexes, e-journals, data sources, e-books and more. The Reference staff can help identify materials that are not available in the Library by searching bibliographic databases containing the holdings of libraries across the country.

Faculty members are encouraged to discuss online research questions with a reference librarian, who can provide search strategy advice or conduct the search. For advice on the best electronic resources available for your topic, or to request an online search or search strategy advice, call the Reference Desk at 617-495-4516.

Research Refreshers

The Reference department offers faculty members individual sessions to introduce new Library resources or to refresh research skills. To request a session, contact Suzanne Wones, Assistant Director of Research, Curriculum and Publication Services, 617-496-2108.

Research Assistant Training

The Reference Department offers research instruction training for faculty research assistants (RAs). After meeting with a faculty member and his or her RAs, a reference librarian will design a course of instruction suited to the faculty member's research requirements and the skills and experience of the RAs. Specialized instruction saves RAs time and ensures that faculty members receive the results of thorough bibliographic research. Contact June Casey, Librarian for Curriculum and Publication Initiatives, 617-495-4492 to request research assistant instruction.