Get Help
Assistance with research, library resources, computer and technology questions, and writing papers is still available during the pandemic, but in online venues only. See the library’s COVID-19 pages for information on hours, services, and access.
Reference and research assistance
Reference and research assistance desk
Librarians staff the reference desk on the first floor to help with students’ research assignments and problems, information needs and other questions—no appointment needed.
- Reference desk hours
- Phone: 651-793-1614
- Chat with a librarian
- Zoom with a librarian
Ask a librarian chat
Chat help is available 24 hours a day. If a Metropolitan State librarian is not available, the chat service is answered by an outside librarian.
Consultation appointments
Individual appointments with a reference librarian may be made at the librarian’s discretion and availability. These may serve best when a particular librarian’s expertise is needed, a question requires a lengthy or in-depth interaction, an interpreter needs to be scheduled, etc. To make an appointment, email Library Services and describe your need.
Write @ the Desk
Writing tutors and librarians are available for drop-in help with research and writing in Write @ the Desk sessions. We can help with identifying topics, assignments, searching databases, citations, reading, revision, and all things writing and research—no appointment needed!
Librarians staff the Reference Desk on the first floor to help with students’ research assignments and problems, information needs and other questions—no appointment needed!
Drop in via Zoom during the ’20-’21 academic year: Research and Writing Help via Zoom (Write @ the Desk)
Write at the Desk hours (Fall and Spring semesters):
- Monday: 2pm – 5pm
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 11am-1pm & 2pm – 5pm
- Friday: 2pm – 5pm
Computer help
Specialists located at the first floor desk provide computer assistance when the library is open. They can help troubleshoot application and software problems you may have related to your studies and assignments. At this time, they cannot assist you with hardware and software not owned by the university.
- Phone: 651-793-1634
Circulation help
Staff at the second floor circulation desk can help you get a student ID card, find items in the library’s collections, check out or renew library materials, get copies of materials from other Minnesota libraries and access course reserves.
- Phone: 651-793-1616
Lost and found
Lost and found is located at the computer help desk on the first floor of the Library and Learning Center. To inquire about a lost item, call 651-793-1634 or email library.computerdesk@metrostate.edu.