Reference librarians are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, to assist faculty, staff and students of the School of Medicine and local health care practitioners. Requests are accepted online, by mail, by telephone to (803) 216-3213, or on a walk-in basis. A Reference Chat is also available during staffed hours via a pull-out box labeled “Chat.” Reference Queries should come directly from the person requesting the service whenever possible. Experience has proven that direct communication between the requestor and the librarian gives the most efficient and satisfactory results.
Information services offered include those in the following categories:
- Answers to factual questions where no interpretation of information is required.
- Assistance in locating materials through the use of the online catalog, the list of print periodicals held by Columbia area health science libraries, and the E-journals web page.
- Assistance in identifying authoritative web sites with quality content.
- Instruction in the use of local databases.
- Computerized bibliographic search services.
- Assistance in verification of citations for bibliographies and for interlibrary loan requests.
- Orientation tours for individuals and groups; class presentations.
For assistance with Systematic Reviews, please have a look at the levels of service we offer on the Systematic Reviews Subject Guide.
