Make Your Appointment For Writing & Research Help

askalibrarianClasses have started, the syllabi have been passed around, and the seemingly endless amount of research and writing assignments has begun! Don’t know how to get started on that 20-page paper? Need a little extra help with finding sources? Or do you want to get some help with proofreading? Van Wylen Library can help!

Van Wylen offers help with research and writing assignments in two major ways: appointments with research librarians and the Center for Writing and Research.

For research questions big or small, the library’s got you covered.

Research librarian Todd Wiebe explained: “We can help students find credible overviews of a subject as they begin developing and exploring possible research topics, think about ways to narrow or expand a topic, find sources to address a topic from different angles, identity and search the most relevant scholarly article databases, verify or ‘fact check’ information they are uncertain of, and even search Google like a pro.”

For quick questions, you can stop by the Research Help Desk on the first floor across from the Circulation Desk during regular library hours where a student assistant or on-call librarian can help you. If you can’t get to the library and have a straightforward short question, try using the Ask a Librarian email form or chatting “Hope Library” on Google Chat.

Have a longer, more extensive question, or having trouble getting started? By making an individual appointment with a librarian, you can get individual, undivided attention and help with your research project. If you already know what research librarian you’d like to work with, you can also email them directly.

Maybe you’ve got the research part down, but need some help putting it all together: writing the paper. The Center for Writing and Research (CWR) can help you brainstorm ideas, get started with outlines, or look over drafts. Student writing assistants are trained to help students through the entire writing process and to collaborate with the Van Wylen Research librarians, helping to bridge the research-writing process.

The CWR is ready to help give individual attention to writing questions. “Our staff has expanded and we’re expecting more students to use this resource regularly,” said Melody Hughes, who has worked at the CWR for two years.

You can stop by the CWR during hours listed on their homepage or make an appointment to ensure that you get the attention you need.

–Madalyn Muncy, Library Student Blogger

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