Reference Service
Schaffer Library is committed to opening the doors of library research for any and all users on a one-on-one basis as needed. Because we know the importance of the contribution that professional reference librarians make when enlisted by students (and others) facing the complexities of the contemporary academic library, we encourage the College Community to use reference services. Some examples of possible areas in which one can find help are given below, and at the Reference Desk link are further details about reference services at Union.

We offer professional reference assistance through many avenues:
  • In person
  • By telephone
  • Via email

Hours of Reference Desk coverage during Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms:

Mondays through Fridays 9am-10pm
Saturdays 10am-5pm
Sundays 11am-10pm
(Hours vary during summer and intersessions.)

You may also phone in a question to (518)388-6281 at any of the above times. Or email any of the principal reference librarians at the addresses given at Reference Desk Personnel.

For example, help is available with:

  • The Web for research
  • The Library's catalog of books and other materials
  • Critical assessment of source reliability (whether online or on paper)
  • Productive use of online databases of articles and other sources
  • Access to full-text of cited resources
  • Identification and retrieval of scholarly literature
  • Statistical data retrieval (and countless other facts!)
  • Government documents
  • Other libraries' holdings
  • "Nuts and bolts" like physical locating, printing, miscellaneous procedures
  • Other 

 
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