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 on a drop-in basis; no appointment needed!

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 during Fall 2021:

  • Mondays through Thursdays, 11am-7pm
  • Fridays, 1pm-5pm
  • Sundays, 1pm-5pm

Zoom

Join us on Zoom via “Write at the Desk.” Drop in via this link and connect with a librarian or writing tutor.

https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/93680297892?pwd=aFpOWG8xVFVuT1JYakM1SCt5eTBEUT09

  • Mondays through Thursdays, 11am-1pm and 2pm-5pm
  • Fridays, 2pm-5pm

Email

Contact us at library.services@metrostate.edu.

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. Please note that consultations are limited to 15 minutes as a COVID safety measure.

  • Mondays through Thursdays, 1pm-7pm

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

  • Mondays through Thursdays, 2pm-5pm

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. 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

Information Commons Specialists located on the library first floor 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

The library also has a staff person dedicated to providing technology help and instruction. See the workshop schedule and contact information here: Technology Tutoring Courses.

Tech assistance is also available from Metro’s IT department via the IT Chat Widget on the desktop of university computers. Students can access IT’s computer help through the options listed here:  https://www.metrostate.edu/students/support/tech-help.

Circulation help

Staff at the second floor circulation desk can help you get a student 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) 793-1624

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.