What kinds of questions may I ask?
But, my question is more complicated than that; come to the Reference
Desk during Reference Desk Hours, or make
an appointment with one of our
SOU Subject Specialist Librarians.
OK, "Ask a Librarian" looks right for me. When
can I expect an answer?
But I need the answer now! Check the Hannon
Library Information Web Page for hours, policies, and other library
information, or, for facts and statistics, Reference
Resources on the Web.
Confidentiality and Disclaimer - Please Read
"Ask a Librarian" is a reference service for members of the SOU communty to use when they are not in the Hannon Library, can wait for an answer, have a short factual or statistical question, or need advice about how to get started in researching a paper or project topic.
Eligibility for "Ask a Librarian" service is limited to currently enrolled students, current faculty, and staff of Southern Oregon University. If you are not affiliated with SOU, please contact your nearest public library, or the Internet Public Library, unless you have a specific question concerning the Hannon Library or its holdings.
When to Use "Ask a Librarian"
*to find brief statistical data or factual information
*to complete the parts of an incomplete bibliographic citation
*for advice about beginning research on a chosen or assigned topic
*for information about library resources and services - see also the Hannon
Library Information Web Page
Sample Questions and Answers:
Appropriate questions seek brief factual information or statistics.
Question: How many square kilometers make up a square mile?
Answer: One square mile (US or UK) equals 2.59 square kilometers.
Source: Geographical Conversion Tables, Amiran and Schick, eds.,
Zurich, 1961, p. 74 (Table 44) Call Number: Ref QC 88 I58
Question: Where can I find a short biography of Woodrow Wilson?
Answer and Source: Academic American Encyclopedia, Grolier, Inc.,
Danbury, CT, 1998. Vol. 20, p.p. 165-167. Call Number Ref AE 5 .A23 1998
v. 20.
Question: What was the population of Oregon in 1920?
Answer: to nearest thousand, 783,000
Source: Datapedia of the United States 1790-2000, George Thomas Kurian,
Bernan Press, Lanham, MD, 1994, p. 25. Call Number Ref HA 202 .K87 1994
Question: What year did women get the vote in Wyoming?
Answer: 1869
Source: International Encyclopedia of Women's Suffrage, June Hannam,
et al, ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara,, 2000, p. 302. Call Number Ref JF 851 .H28
2000
Question: Who was Secretary of State when Ronald Reagan was President?
Answer: Alexander M. Haig 1981-82; George P. Schultz 1982-89
Source: The New York Times 2000 Almanac, John W. Wright, ed., Penguin
Reference, New York, 2000, p.133. Call Number Ref AY 67 .N5 N48 2000.
More complex research questions are not appropriate, and will be returned
with advice about how to start your research, or with a recommendation to
come to the SOU Reference Desk during Reference
Desk Hours. Examples of questions that are too complex to fully answer
via "Ask a Librarian" are:
Who cited Jane Goodall's research on chimpanzees in the last two years?
(You would be referred to a librarian for a research consultation.)
What were the major turning point battles in Europe during WWII?
(You would be referred to reference sources on WWII.)
Which American Presidents failed to gain a majority of the popular vote
and when?
(You would be referred to reference sources on the American Presidency.)
Which learning disorders show high comorbidity with ADHD?
(You would be referred to article databases and reference books in Psychology.)
Response Time is usually within
24-48 hours when the University is in session, excluding weekends and holidays.
If you need your answer sooner, contact the SOU Reference Desk at 552-6442
during Reference Desk Hours, try
L-Net to chat with
a librarian in Oregon 24/7, or try the appropriate link below:
About Hannon Library Resources and Services
Look-It-Up: Reference Resources on the Web
Confidentiality: Your privacy will be respected. Only Reference Librarians working on the answer will see who asked the question. We reserve the right to store your question and our answer for future reference, but your name and all other identifiers will be removed.
Disclaimer: This service is intended to provide documented factual information and research advice. Reference Librarians do not give legal, medical, or tax advice. Reference Librarians and the University are not responsible for misinterpretation or misuse of responses given through this service.