Ask-A-Librarian at the
Education & Social Science Library

Sign up Online for an Individual Research Consultation!

Not sure where to start your research project/paper or which sources to use?
Sign up for a one-on-one appointment with a reference librarian to learn about the best databases, search strategies and information sources for your project or paper.

The Individual Research Consultation Program:

• provides the opportunity to meet individually with a reference librarian to discuss research strategies and library resources for term paper assignments, research projects, class presentations, honors theses, dissertation topics, and general research needs
• allows students and other researchers and librarians to work together uninterrupted for 30 minutes to an hour

To schedule an individual appointment with a librarian, please fill out the Individual Research Consultation form online or ask for a print form from the Education and Social Science Library's Reference Desk.

About Ask-A-Librarian Reference Service

What types of questions can I ask?

Any question you might ask at the library's reference desk. Locating library materials, guidance in conducting research, looking up an address, or finding statistical information are all examples of the types of questions that can be answered using this service. For in-depth questions or other specialized assistance, please contact the Education and Social Science Library Reference Desk at (217) 244-1864 or schedule an Individual Research Consultation.

How do I submit a question via email?

Reference queries can be sent via e-mail to Ask-A-Librarian (educlib@uiuc.edu). Please include your name, e-mail address, and phone number in your message. To assist us in answering your query please include as much information about your question as possible. Your question will be received by a librarian in the Education and Social Science Library. Every effort will be made to respond to your query within two working days.

What is IM and how does it work?

IM stands for "Instant Message," and refers to software like AOL Instant Messenger which can be used to have a live conversation with a librarian. To contact us, send a message from your IM software to one of our Screen Names (Buddy Names): askessl (Education and Social Science Library), askuiuc (Main Reference Library) and askundergrad (Undergraduate Library).

If you do not wish to download and install Instant Messenger on your computer, you may use a web-based version at AIM Express. This service allows you to create a screen name and to chat, without downloading any software.

We also have accounts on Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger with the same names (askessl, askuiuc and askundergrad).

How Chat works?

Chat allows you to have a real-time exchange with a librarian using special software.

For the chat reference service to work, you must turn off any pop-up blockers that your browser has running. Here are some pages that explain how to turn off pop-up blockers for particular browsers:

• Google Toolbar Pop-Up Blocker
• SBC Yahoo Browser Pop-Up Blocker
• Yahoo Toolbar Pop-Up Blocker
• Opera Browser Pop-Up Blocker
• Firefox - Under Tools-->Options, go to Web Features and uncheck "Block Popup Windows" (or, in the popup block message that appears, allow popups from this site)
• Mozilla - To change Mozilla's Pop-up Blocker preferences, select Tools > Popup Manager > Allow popups from this site.
• Apple Safari - open the preferences and un-check the 'Block pop-up windows' check box under the 'Advanced' menu.

Who can use this service?

Chat and IM services are intended primarily for the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. If you are not affiliated with UIUC, we are happy to answer questions concerning resources unique to the University of Illinois Libraries.

Other Information

• UIUC Library Privacy Policy
• Library locations and hours