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Ask a Librarian

All services follow the guidelines outlined in the Research and Instructional Services Department's reference services philosophy statement.

Chat 

Click the Ask a Librarian button on the right to start chat with the reference staff in Newman Library. Supply your name, email address, Virginia Tech affiliation, and the nature of your question. Depending on the area to which your question most closely pertains, your chat will be directed either to the second floor reference desk (business, humanities & social sciences) or the fourth floor reference desk (science & technology). General questions will be answered by reference staff at both desks.

Chat is available all hours that at least one reference desk is open.

Close chat window to end the session and then indicate whether or not you want a copy of the transcript.

Email 

Send a question to the library's reference staff. Priority is given to Virginia Tech students, faculty, and staff, and to questions pertaining to Virginia Tech library collections. Questions are answered as quickly as possible, normally within a few hours, but if referred to a specialist additional time may be necessary. You can receive an email confirmation that your question has been received. Depending on the area to which your question most closely pertains, your email will be directed either to the second floor reference desk (business, humanities and social sciences) or the fourth floor reference desk (science and technology). General questions will be answered by reference staff at both desks.

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions knowledgebase

Research consultations with subject librarians 

Consult subject guides page for most appropriate contact.

Newman 

Reference Desk on 2nd floor Newman - specializing in Business, Humanities & Social Sciences questions (including government documents). Telephone: 540-231-9232

Reference Desk on 4th floor Newman - specializing in Science & Technology questions (including agriculture, engineering, and medicine). Telephone: 540-231-4122

Information Desk near Torgersen Bridge (4th floor Newman). Telephone: 540-231-5532

Special Collections on 1st floor Newman (entrance in Lobby). Telephone: 540-231-6308

Branch libraries 

Art + Architecture Library: 1st floor, Cowgill Hall. Telephone: 540-231-9271

Northern Virginia Center Library: Falls Church site, 1st floor. Telephone: 703-538-8340

Veterinary Medicine Library: Phase III Building, 1st floor. Telephone: 540-231-6610

Reference services philosophy 

The staff of the Research and Instructional Services Department are committed to provide knowledgeable, timely, courteous, and non-judgmental reference assistance to all library patrons, regardless of the nature of the inquiry or the means of communication (in-person, telephone, online through chat or email, written correspondence). All questions will be treated confidentially and respectfully. Where appropriate, questions may be referred to other persons or units within the library. The Reference Services Philosophy follows the precepts outlined in the American Library Association's Code of Ethics.