What kinds of questions are appropriate?

• How and where to start researching a topic.
• How to find articles or books in general.
• How to find a particular book or journal article.
• How to search a particular database.
• Which database would be most helpful given the topic.
• How to locate a publisher or other company address or phone number
• Word spelling or definition

What kinds of questions are not appropriate?  This service does not:

• create or check bibliographies (lists of references)
• retrieve or copy books or articles
• initiate Interlibrary Loan requests
• dispense medical or legal advice
• do translations
• format bibliographies(MLA, APA, etc.)
• handle genealogy questions
• answer scavenger or treasure-hunt questions
• provide help with PC hardware, software, or applications problems (e.g., e-mail or Internet provider questions, HTML, PowerPoint, word processing, spreadsheets, etc.)
• provide assistance with instructor-assigned exercise requiring a trip to the library for use of specific resources; please come to the Reference Desk for such help
• renew books checked out to you (see Self Renewal option)

Other Possibilities:
If the information needed is too extensive, or requires analysis or interpretation on your part, we may recommend that you come to the Reference Desk for better assistance, if at all possible.

Some questions can be answered with information or online resources already available.  Please check the following list/links before submitting your question -  there may be an answer for you now!

• Library hours or services
• Check the online catalog, Voyager, for specific authors, books, or journal titles.  Use the Basic Search option.
• What's on reserve for my class? (see Online Catalog - Course Reserve)  E-reserve items require username and password from your instructor.
• For problems with Remote Access to the library's databases, call the Reference Desk (812-464-1907) or send e-mail describing the problem directly to LIBWEB@USI.EDU
• You may see what items you already have checked out, or renew items twice using the online Self-Renewal option.
• Student requests for books or articles through Interlibrary Loan are handled in person at the library.  Faculty may send such requests by e-mail to LibILL@usi.edu
• For assistance with MLA or APA citation format for electronic resources, check the Rice Library's page under Research Guides - - Citation Guides

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