Research Guides: Ask a Librarian: Home

Research Help Services

Ask a Librarian	Click on the green bar in lower right corner of Library webpages. Connect immediately with a librarian with our instant message service. This services is available 24/7. Messiah Librarians staff the chat during weekdays during the academic year. After hours, your chat will be answered by an off-site librarian.
Phone	(717) 691-6006, ext. 3860 Ask to speak to a librarian.
Email	Library@messiah.edu, fill out the form, or directly email your liaison librarian. A librarian will respond as soon as they can.
Appointment	Who is my librarian? To meet with a librarian for the subject or department of your research, please find the liaison librarian in the list and contact her for an appointment. Librarians are available to meet for one-on-one research consultations. This provides in-depth, personalized instruction to assist with search strategies, identifying resources, and citations. Schedule an appointment with a specific librarian: Rachael Jasitt https://calendly.com/rjasitt/15-minute-meeting Liz Kielley https://calendly.com/ekielley/student-meeting Sarah Myers https://calendly.com/librarymyers/15min Beth Transue https://calendly.com/btransue/30min Janet Vogel https://calendly.com/jvogel-messiah/15min Students, faculty, and staff may schedule an appointment with a librarian for one-on-one assistance in finding relevant information for research papers and other projects. A research consultation may include guidance on how to use the Library's many resources, in print and online. Consultations can take place in person, by phone, or by web conference.

Librarian Availability

Librarians are available Monday through Friday through the Ask a Librarian widget, one-on-one consultations, phone, and by email.

Monday 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

*For any time not listed above, please use the green "Ask a Librarian" button on the bottom of the library web pages to ask your questions. An off-site librarian will respond in a few minutes.

Expected response time

Weekdays: A librarian will respond immediately via the chat service. By email, expect a response within a few hours.

Evenings, Weekends, Holidays, University breaks, and Summers: While librarians often check for emailed questions, it may take a little longer (up to 24 hours) to respond.

Research Help FAQs

When may I expect a response?

Weekdays: We'll try to respond as quickly as possible, sometimes immediately and usually within a few hours.

Weekdays, Holidays, University breaks, and Summers: While librarians do check for email reference questions often, it may take a little longer (up to 24 hours) to respond.

During the ACADEMIC YEAR, reference service is provided in person, online, or via email or phone. Review the options in the Research Help Services above and select your preference!

During the SUMMER, reference service is provided for online students in the following ways:

The best way to reach a librarian for reference help is through email. The link for sending an email appears below and is also available on the library home page. The librarians are glad to provide as much reference help as possible and attempt to respond quickly. However, there may be times when they cannot respond right away.
For immediate assistance during the week, you might try calling the Library circulation desk
717-691-6006. Ask for a reference librarian.