Reference Desk Phone Number
978.542.6766

Reference Service
Note: While the library building is closed, a Reference Desk has been set up in the Ellison Campus Center Commuter Lounge. Reference staff will be available to assist with research during the following hours:

Sunday: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Monday - Thursday: 8:00am to 10:00pm; Information Desk coverage (same location), 10:00pm-12midnight
Friday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm to 5:00pm

The library provides reference service seven days a week, including nights and weekends. Librarians are available to assist users with research needs in both print and electronic sources. The reference desk is usually located on the first floor of the library. For e-mail or chat reference, patrons may use the Ask a Librarian service.

Collection
The reference collection consists of non-circulating materials such as encyclopedias, almanacs, dictionaries, handbooks, directories, atlases, yearbooks, statistical sources, and bibliographies on general and specific subjects. The reference department also houses United States and Massachusetts laws and court decisions.

Research Assistance
In-depth, individualized research assistance may be scheduled on an appointment basis with a reference librarian.

Instruction
Faculty may schedule library research classes taught by professional librarians. Focus may range from basic tours to advanced subject-related classes. For more information please see the Instructional Services web page.

Librarian Assisted Database Searching
If a database is not available through the library's web page, a search may be conducted by a librarian through Dialog, which offers access to over 400 databases (fees may apply). For more information please contact Nancy George.

Equipment for the Visually Impaired
A Xerox Reading Edge Kurzweil machine, which optically scans a document, digitizes the printed text, and synthesizes it to audio or prints to computer disk, is available in the library building. Also available for patrons is an Optelec 20/20 Spectrum Image magnification machine and enlargement software, Zoom, has been loaded on each public workstation.