Get Help

Reference and research assistance

Librarians are available to help you with research and use of library resources. All of the following options are available during the semester on a drop-in basis; no appointment needed! Summer semester services are available May 20 through August 14.

Online and remote help options

Chat

Message us via the chat box on our home page. Available 24/7. When Metro State library faculty are not available, questions are answered by librarians at other institutions.

This service is staffed by Metro State librarians during the following times:

  • Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

Zoom

Join us on “Research and Writing Help on Zoom.” Drop in via this link to connect with a librarian or writing tutor.

https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/93852627878

A librarian and writing tutor are available:

  • Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m and 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

Email

Contact us at library.services@metrostate.edu. Email will be answered within two (2) business days, Monday through Friday.

Ask a Librarian form

Use this online form as an alternative to sending us an email.

Phone

To reach a reference librarian by phone, call the following number. You will get a call back if no one is available to answer.

  • 651.793.1614

In-person help options

Reference and research assistance desk

Drop in to the desk and work with a librarian on the first floor of the main library building on the St. Paul campus.

  • Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

Writing tutors will also be at this desk at the following times:

  • Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

Consultation appointments

Consultation appointments are not available May 6, 2025, through August 24, 2025. During fall and spring semester, individual appointments with a reference librarian may be booked online. 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, please use the online form or email library.services@metrostate.edu and describe your need.

Research and Writing Help (on Zoom and at the Desk)

Writing tutors and librarians are available for drop-in help with research and writing. You can get help with identifying topics, understanding assignments, searching databases, formatting citations, reading, revision, and all things writing and research—no appointment needed!

See the schedules in the “Online” and “In-person” options above.

Online guides and tutorials

Research Guides help you select a database, learn search techniques, and make the best use of library resources.

Computer and technology help

Staff at the library’s 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. They cannot assist you with hardware and software not owned by the university.

  • Phone: 651.793.1634

Tech assistance is also available from Metro’s Institutional Effectiveness and Technology (IET) department via the IT Chat Widget on the desktop of university computers. Students can access IET’s computer help through the options listed at Tech Help.

Circulation help

Staff at the first-floor desk can help you get a university ID card, find items on the library shelves, check out or renew library materials, get copies of materials from other Minnesota libraries, and access course reserves.

  • Phone: 651.793.1634