Reference Services

In keeping with the Library's mission of contributing to student success, the reference service focuses on instructing users to manage independently and at their own pace in using our electronic, print, or audio-visual resources. This empowerment allows researchers to best accomplish their immediate research objectives and at the same time prepares them for success in future quests.

Types of Reference Service
• Assistance in finding the answer to specific reference questions.
• Assistance in developing research strategies for  assignments, reports and term papers.
• Instruction in the use of the Library and its resources.
• Orientation to the Library through tours, tutorial sessions, subject specific programs, etc.

Ask-a-Librarian Service
"Ask-a-Librarian" is an online information service available on the Library homepage to answer questions pertaining to Library resources, research needs, and other related topics. You can also ask questions by e-mail, phone, or in-person. Queries will be answered within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

Document Delivery (DD) / Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Service
The Library obtains material not available in the Library collection to support research and learning. Faculty, staff, and students are eligible for Document Delivery (DD)/Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services. Requests must be submitted to the Library using the Interlibrary Loan Form wherein complete bibliographic information of the request must be provided. The users must check the A. M. Al-Refai Library eResources to ensure the non-availability of the requested articles in the Library collection, before sending in their requests. The average processing time for a DD/ILL request is 3-7 days for articles and 5-10 days for books, both locally and regionally. Users will be notified by e-mail when requested items are ready for pickup.
Requested articles not available in local and regional libraries may be obtained via Commercial Document Suppliers and normally within 3 working days. However, such articles are charged and invoice sent electronically to the Library for payment purposes. This facility is offered to the faculty only, and a maximum of 5 commercial requests per faculty can be processed each year.

Library Instruction and Orientation Service
GENERAL ORIENTATION: Library staff orient new students to the facilities, collection and services on a walking tour of the library. Faculty can arrange for their classes through the Reference Librarian.
INFORMATION SKILLS SESSIONS: The Reference Librarian conducts sessions to promote Information Literacy by introducing students to the research process and to the use of the Internet, online Catalog, online Databases, and LibGuides to locate and retrieve information. The schedule for training sessions are posted on the Library website. Bookings may be required.
COURSE-SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION: Staff also provide subject or course-related orientations on request. Faculty are encouraged to contact a Reference Librarian to arrange special library instruction for their students.