Display our hCard to add us to your contacts. *
	IM (Instant Messaging) Send an Instant Message (IM) to the reference librarians. If you need to know how to establish an IM account click here.
	Text Messaging (SMS)1 NEW! Text us at our text-only number 412 397-7488.
	Email Fill out our email reference form and we will answer within a few hours but no longer than 24 hours (except when the university is closed or between terms).
	In Person Stop by any of the libraries for personal assistance or request an appointment through our email service.
	Phone Speak with a Reference Librarian for help with simple questions. Call Hillman Reference at 412-648-3330 or select a different library location.
	Self Service We've created many guides to help you with your research and papers.
	Staff Directory if you're looking for a specific person check our staff directory.
	Consultation Reference librarians are available to meet individually with PITT students, faculty, and staff. Request an appointment.
	Library Training Sessions These basic and advanced training sessions are available to PITT students, faculty, and staff. Call 412.648.7770 to schedule an appointment.

 

About Ask-a-Librarian via Email

Ask-a-Librarian is an email version of the reference service offered by the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh. This service is open to anyone with a question concerning the research and teaching mission of the University of Pittsburgh. In responding to these requests, priority will be given to University of Pittsburgh affiliated students, faculty and staff. You must have a valid email address to receive a response. If you are a University of Pittsburgh student, faculty or staff you can also receive reference assistance using the electronic resources of the ULS such as databases and electronic journals.

What sort of questions can I ask Ask-a-Librarian?

Ask any question you would ask over the phone or in person. In some cases we might give you the answer. In other cases, we'll direct you to a source, or suggest that you come into the library to do your research.

What sort of questions are you unable to answer through Ask-a-Librarian?

We don’t have the resources or expertise to respond to medical, legal, tax-related or genealogical questions.

Who answers the questions?

Librarians from throughout the University's Oakland campus answer your questions. If your question requires resources from a specific library on campus or the subject expertise of another librarian, you will be referred accordingly.

When will I receive an answer?

Typically, you will be contacted within a few hours, but no longer than 24 hours after you email us (excluding holidays and term breaks). We may provide you with an immediate answer, ask for more information, or let you know when you may expect to hear from us again.

About Ask-a-Librarian via IM

IMaPITTlibrarian is our IM version of Ask-a-Librarian of the reference service offered by the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh. This service is open to Pitt affiliates and to others with questions regarding services and resources unique to the University of Pittsburgh.

Ask IMaPITTlibrarian

You can send an instant message (IM) to one of our reference librarians by adding one of the IM addresses listed below to your buddy (or friends) list. We are still testing this service and cannot guarantee help at any specific hours, but please send a question if you see us online.
Questions are taken on a first come first serve basis. If we are not available, try our other Ask-a-Librarian services listed here.

Service		Download Link	Our Buddy Name
AOL Messenger		http://dashboard.aim.com/aim	IMaPITTlibrarian
Yahoo! Messenger		http://messenger.yahoo.com/
MSN Messenger		http://get.live.com/messenger/overview
Gtalk		http://www.google.com/talk/
ICQ		http://www.icq.com/	440545098

 

Privacy policy

Use of this service is your agreement to our Privacy Policy Statement. The Library respects the privacy of our users. This policy is intended to let users know how information collected by the Ask-a-Librarian service is used. At the completion of an IM all identifying information is saved to a folder on the reference librarian’s desktop, but it is removed on a periodic basis. Transcripts, questions, or information gathered during reference sessions, may be used by authorized library staff for training and research purposes. If used for research purposes, all identifying information will be removed.

 

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¹PITT Libraries do not charge for this service or receive revenue from cell phone providers. Cell phone providers generally charge customers for sending and/or receiving text messages. These charges vary from plan to plan and from telephone provider to provider.