Getting Research Assistance

IM Library Help

You must turn on JavaScript in order to chat with a librarian.

Use IM Library Help for immediate answers durning Library hours. Click on the blue "Library Help" button to pop up a text chat with a helpful person at the reference desk. Place your curser into the smaller, lower white box, type in your question and hit the enter/return button on your keyboard. Wait for a response. You might need to wait a little if the desk is busy with other patrons. Use this service wherever you see the blue "Library Help" button.

Our instant message service is not available at this time. Please try again when the library is open, or use one of the other services listed on this page.

Information and FAQs

If you are still having problems, please let us know. By email: libref @ sfsu.edu, phone: 338-1974, or select one of the other services listed on this page.

Email

Email Research Assistance

Send your question via email. Get an answer within 48 hours.

Person to Person

Walk-In Research Assistance

Visit the Library's Research Assistance Desk (Library Annex I) during regular open hours. For more information, see Information, Research & Instruction Services (IRIS).

Research Consultations

Make an appointment to meet with a librarian for in-depth help.

Telephone

Telephone Research Assistance

Call 415-338-1974 with quick questions.