REFERENCE DESK

Helping you with your research questions is very important to us. However, due to the lack of air conditioning in Lavery Library while the equipment is being replaced, you should make an appointment with a Reference Librarian. Please call 585-385-8141 to make an appointment. You may also use the Ask Us 24/7 link explained below for reference assistance during the building renovations.

The air conditioning should be functional again in late August. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Librarians are on duty at the Reference Desk during all reference hours and are eager to assist students, faculty, and staff. Whether you have a single reference question, need help searching a database, or are beginning a research paper, the Reference Desk is the place to contact for all of your information needs.

You can also have an IM Chat with a Librarian. This online service is literally available 24/7 so you can get your questions answered even when the Library is closed, right at your own computer. Please note that the Chat Reference 24/7 service will link you to a librarian from an academic library other than St. John Fisher College's Lavery Library. For this service, click the Ask Us 24/7 link, also located on our homepage, to Chat With a Librarian Anytime!

To contact the Lavery Library Reference Desk:

		Phone 	(585) 385-8141
		Email	ref@sjfc.edu 

RESEARCH ASSISTANCE
Reference Consultations
Students needing extended help with research may schedule an appointment with a reference librarian. This is an ideal way to plan a research strategy for a term paper or other major project. Appointments may also be made for one-on-one training in the use of any of the library's research databases. Contact your Department/Program Liaison.
Library Guides
The Reference Librarians of Lavery Library have created many subject-specific bibliographies to assist students with research and information gathering. Topics include Anthropology, Biology, Criminal Justice, Education, Mental Health Counseling, Nursing, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Sport Studies, several History topics, and many others. These Subject Guides are available on the Library's homepage under Research Tools.

The Reference Librarians have created many other guides, which are also available on the Library's homepage. These guides include an Evaluating Websites Checklist; a list of excellent Internet Search Engines; online Ready Reference tools; and lists of Selected Websites available for every academic program, as well as News/Weather, Sports, Travel, Careers and Employment, and other useful topics. These Selected Websites have been evaluated by reference librarians and chosen as good sources of reliable information for research purposes.

INSTRUCTION & TRAINING
Faculty are encouraged to bring their classes to the library for instruction in the use of its resources. Introductions to the library are offered to freshmen in their fall Learning Communities and spring CORE 199 classes. More advanced instruction with special subject emphasis is available for upper-level classes. To schedule a class, call the Reference Desk at 585-385-8141 or Kathi Sigler, Instruction Librarian, at 585-385-8140.

Each academic department has a liaison librarian, who conducts most of the instruction classes for that department. You may also contact your liaison librarian directly. For a list of current liaison assignments, click here.

Tours are available for classes or individuals at all levels upon request.

INTERLIBRARY SERVICES
Interlibrary Loan
No single library can meet all the information needs of today's researcher. As a member of OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) and RRLC (Rochester Regional Library Council), the Lavery Library is connected to consortia of libraries which freely lend and borrow materials for their patrons. Daily delivery within the RRLC region and online delivery of articles expedite requests. ILL requests are made using the electronic ILL form on the library's homepage. If you have questions, contact the ILL Office at 585-385-8106 or email ill@sjfc.edu.
Nazareth/St. John Fisher Access Program
In order to provide the best possible library service to all our Undergraduate Students, Nazareth College and St. John Fisher College implemented a direct-access cooperative borrowing program in 1988. Undergraduate Students from either school may directly check out materials from the other college's library. The relatively close locations and complementary library collections make this a successful option for Undergraduate Students of both schools. Graduate Students and Faculty members must obtain an RRLC Access Card in order to borrow materials from Nazareth College.
RRLC Access Cards
Graduate Students and Faculty may borrow materials from many other college and research libraries in the Rochester area by obtaining an RRLC Access Card. As St. John Fisher's reciprocal borrowing agreement with Nazareth College only serves Undergraduate Students, all Graduate Students and Faculty members need to obtain an Access Card to borrow materials from Nazareth.

The program is sponsored by the Rochester Regional Library Council. For more information about the Access Card Program and a list of all participating libraries click here. Cards are available at the Circulation Desk. Call 585-385-8165 for more information on obtaining an Access Card.

COURSE RESERVE SYSTEM
As an extension of classroom instruction, the Lavery Library Reserve Desk oversees the distribution of high demand materials to our students. Prompt access by all members of the campus community is a high priority. Search Reserves from the Library's homepage under Library Catalog. Materials may be borrowed at the Circulation Desk with a valid Fisher ID.