"Ask a Librarian" Policy

The Pfau Library Reference Department offers e-mail reference to students, faculty, staff, and community members. This free service is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reference librarians provide answers to brief, factual questions, recommend appropriate resources, and suggest search strategies for patrons who request such help electronically.

E-mail reference is limited in its scope. The librarians cannot:

• Conduct extensive research for patrons. We provide instruction and assistance, but are not a research service.

• Retrieve and hold books or other materials.

• Create bibliographies.

• Verify lengthy lists of citations.

• Provide medical, legal, investment, or tax advice.

• Answer questions for trivia contests.

• E-mail, fax, or mail library materials to patrons.
  The only exception is for delivery of pages from old CSUSB course catalogs for former students who need course descriptions. Students currently enrolled in CSUSB classes at off-campus sites should consult the Distributed Learning Library Services page for assistance with library materials.

Patrons with complex reference questions are advised to visit the Reference Desk for in-depth research assistance.

Return to Ask a Librarian.