Ask a Question
Online
Contact the Reference Department over the web in real-time with the library's interactive instant messaging service.
Spring Intersession Hours
- Monday-Thursday: 10 AM - 5 PM
- Friday: 11 AM - 5 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: not available
Regular hours resume Monday, March 31 2008
Hours for Answers Online are:
- Monday through Thursday: 10 AM to 9 PM
- Friday: 11 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday: 1 PM to 5 PM
- Sunday: 2 PM to 5 PM and 6 PM to 9 PM
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:
- For best results, use Internet Explorer 4.0 or above
- Netscape 7, Mozilla and Mozilla Firefox users must disable Java to connect to Answers Online (follow these instructions).
- Answers Online does not work with Netscape 6.
Browser Requirements for Macintosh:
- Answers Online will work with Internet Explorer 5 and Mozilla.
- Answers Online does not work with Safari.
- You must disable Java in your browser to connect to Answers Online. Instructions for disabling Java in Internet Explorer | Instructions for disabling Java in Mozilla
By Phone
(847)
491-7656 (Main Library Reference
Desk)
(847)
491-7658 (Main Library InfoCommons)
(847)
491-4357 (NUIT Information Center -
computer
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 privilegesIf you need immediate assistance from a librarian:
Visit or call one of the reference desks or contact one of the library subject specialists.
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
next to the field.

