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Online

Contact the Reference Department over the web in real-time with the library's interactive instant messaging service.

Answers Online -- click here to begin

Spring Intersession Hours

Regular hours resume Monday, March 31 2008

Hours for Answers Online are:

Answers Online is intended for use by current students, faculty and staff of Northwestern University. We will also attempt to answer questions from the general public when they pertain to specific items in our libraries' collections, library services or to the university itself.

Browser Requirements for Windows:

Browser Requirements for Macintosh:

By Phone

(847) 491-7656 (Main Library Reference Desk)
(847) 491-7658 (Main Library InfoCommons)
(847) 491-4357 (NUIT Information Center - NU Onlycomputer help for the Northwestern community)

By E-mail

The library's e-mail feedback service is intended for use by current Northwestern students, faculty and staff. Library staff will attempt to answer questions from non-Northwestern affiliates only when time permits. People from outside the Northwestern University community are encouraged to submit their questions to their local library or to the Internet Public Library.

Responses requiring special attention may take up to 3 working days. You can check the library staff directory for assistance on specific matters. If you need help right away, try contacting one of the library reference desks for immediate assistance.

You may also want to check out the links below:

If you have general feedback, comments or suggestions:
Check the feedback page for assistance.

If you have trouble connecting to NUcat the library catalog:
Consult NUcat help or email NUCat help.

If you are looking to borrowing of books held at other libraries or the photocopying and delivery of journal articles
Contact Interlibrary loan.

If you are off the campus network and are having trouble connecting to electronic resources:
Check the proxy services pages for guidance. (a help request form is linked on that page)

If you need help selecting the right database to start your research:
Visit or call one of the reference desks or the Information Commons in the Main Library.

If you have a question relating to access to the library and its resources:
Check library privileges

If you need immediate assistance from a librarian:
Visit or call one of the reference desks or contact one of the library subject specialists.

Note:We are unable to perform extensive research for you through this service. For example, we cannot do complex database searches for you, or create lengthy bibliographies. We encourage you to seek consultation from our reference department if these are the types of services you need.

This service does not assist in the borrowing of books held at other libraries or the photocopying and delivery of journal articles. To order books or journal articles from other libraries, contact Interlibrary loan.

In order to assist you with your question it is useful for us to gather some essential information. This information is used only for the purposes of assisting you and will not be utilized for any other purposes.

Required information is noted with an (Required Field) next to the field.

(Required Field) What is your question?
The more you tell us, the better our answer will be. What do you already know about your subject or question? Indicate any significant terms that describe your subject or research topic.
(Required Field)

A response to this question is not needed after this date:
In Evanston,IL it is now: 10:00:48 AM CDT on Friday, 04 July 2008

 

(Required Field) How will you use this information?
If we know how you will use the information or what you want to get out of the answer it will help guide us to places to look for right information.
 
(Required Field) Sources Consulted:
Please list any sources that you've already checked regarding your question. We don't want to duplicate your attempts. If you've used the Libraries' catalog (NUcat), or a database; the name of the database would help us (e.g., Academic Universe, DJI).
 
(Required Field) Contact Information
(Required Field) First and last name:
(Required Field) E-mail address:
A complete internet E-mail address (e.g., a-student@northwestern.edu) is required for us to send you an answer to your question.
(Required Field) Your Status
Faculty Visiting scholar Doctoral Masters Undergraduate Staff
Alumna/Alumnus Institute for Learning in Retirement
Not Affiliated with Northwestern
Other, please specify
Department or major:
Telephone: (including area code)
Some questions require clarification or more information. In these cases, contacting you by telephone allows us to respond more quickly and accurately.
Special Accommodations:
Do you have any disability accommodations that the library should be aware of in responding to your request? If so, please explain. You may want to check out our guide Services for patrons with disabilities.
(Required Field) Submit your question.
Note:You will automatically be sent a copy of this message to the e-mail address you have indicated above.

library@northwestern.edu