The sign says “ASK HERE,” and ask you shall! At least, that’s what we hope. The Research Help Desk is the library’s epicenter for all things “research.” Need to check if the we own a particular book? ASK. Want help figuring out the best database to search for your research topic? ASK. Don’t know how to search said database upon becoming cognizant of its existence? ASK. No idea where to start, or what types of sources you could be consulting for your assignment? ASK. Just need someone to talk to? Okay, fine, but please do try to slip a library-related question in here and there. Oh, and about those changes afoot mentioned in the title of this post: Starting this fall, the Research Help Desk will be solely staffed by students—highly trained and knowledgeable students. Librarians, situated in the office suite directly behind the Research Help Desk, will be standing by for any and all research inquiries requiring their expertise. As always, help will be available both at the point-of-need (i.e., walk-up questions) and via scheduled research consultations.
–by Todd Wiebe, Head of Research and Instruction, Associate Professor, All-around good guy