Ask-A-Librarian

If you'd like to send us a general comment, feedback, or a suggestion you can do that here...

Looking for a specific staff person? Check our staff directory.

	Ask-A-Librarian via Email Fill out our email reference form and we will answer within a few hours but no longer than 24 hours (except when the university is closed or between terms).
	Ask-A-Librarian via IM Send an Instant Message (IM) to the reference librarians. If you need to know how to establish an IM account click here.
	Ask-A-Librarian in Person If you prefer a face-to-face exchange, you can stop by any of the listed libraries for personal assistance or request an appointment through our email service.
	Ask-A-Librarian by Phone Speak with a Reference Librarian for help with simple questions. Call Hillman Reference at (412) 648-3330 or select a different library location.
	Self Service Librarians have created many guides to help you with your research. You may find answers to your questions here.
	Consultation Reference librarians are available to meet individually with PITT students, faculty, and staff to provide assistance with research projects. Consultations may be arranged by requesting an appointment or by contacting one of the librarians directly.
	Library Training Sessions These basic and advanced training sessions are available to PITT students, faculty, and staff. These sessions are designed to provide an overview of available recourses and a demonstration of search techniques. Call 412.648.7770 to schedule an appointment.

About Ask-a-Librarian via Email

Ask-a-Librarian is an email version of the reference service offered by the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh. This service is open to anyone with a question concerning the research and teaching mission of the University of Pittsburgh. In responding to these requests, priority will be given to University of Pittsburgh affiliated students, faculty and staff. You must have a valid email address to receive a response. If you are a University of Pittsburgh student, faculty or staff you can also receive reference assistance using the electronic resources of the ULS such as databases and electronic journals.

What sort of questions can I ask Ask-a-Librarian?

Ask any question you would ask over the phone or in person. In some cases we might give you the answer. In other cases, we'll direct you to a source, or suggest that you come into the library to do your research.

What sort of questions are you unable to answer through Ask-a-Librarian?

We don’t have the resources or expertise to respond to medical, legal, tax-related or genealogical questions.

Who answers the questions?

Librarians from throughout the University's Oakland campus answer your questions. If your question requires resources from a specific library on campus or the subject expertise of another librarian, you will be referred accordingly.

When will I receive an answer?

Typically, you will be contacted within a few hours, but no longer than 24 hours after you email us (excluding holidays and term breaks). We may provide you with an immediate answer, ask for more information, or let you know when you may expect to hear from us again.

About Ask-a-Librarian via IM

IMaPITTlibrarian is our IM version of Ask-a-Librarian of the reference service offered by the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh. This service is open to Pitt affiliates and to others with questions regarding services and resources unique to the University of Pittsburgh.

Ask IMaPITTlibrarian

You can send an instant message (IM) to one of our reference librarians by adding one of the IM addresses listed below to your buddy (or friends) list. We are still testing this service and cannot guarantee help at any specific hours, but please send a question if you see us online.
Questions are taken on a first come first serve basis. If we are not available, try our other Ask-a-Librarian services listed here.

IM Client	IM Address	Web Version
AOL Messenger	IMaPITTlibrarian@aol.com	AIM Express
1. Open the AIM Express link and click the start button. 2. Enter your AOL screen name and password and click sign on. 3. Use "send an Instant Message" option write “PITT Ask-A-Librarian”
MSN Messenger	IMaPITTlibrarian@hotmail.com	MSN Web Messenger
1. Open the MSN link and click on "Start MSN Web Messenger". 2. Enter your MSN email address and password to sign on. 3. Once connected, add “PITT Ask-A-Librarian” to your contact list. 4. You can send a message after the librarian accepts you as a contact.
Yahoo! Messenger	IMaPITTlibrarian@yahoo.com	Yahoo! Web Messenger
1. Open the Yahoo!Messenger link 2. Enter your Yahoo! ID and password and sign on

Privacy policy

Use of this service is your agreement to our Privacy Policy Statement. The Library respects the privacy of our users. This policy is intended to let users know how information collected by the Ask-a-Librarian service is used. At the completion of an IM all identifying information is saved to a folder on the reference librarian’s desktop, but it is removed on a periodic basis. Transcripts, questions, or information gathered during reference sessions, may be used by authorized library staff for training and research purposes. If used for research purposes, all identifying information will be removed.