Reference and Research Assistance   

See also: Research Tips and Library Class Pages

Reference and Research Librarians:

Start with a  librarian for any research challenge, whether you just want to know a particular fact or get started with a large research assignment. Learn how to use the available electronic catalogs and databases or locate information on the Internet. They can help you cut through information overload or find the obscure. Reference librarians help students at the reference desk, but can be reached individually by phone or email:

• Jean Caspers, Reference and Instruction Librarian
  (503-883-2262; jcaspers@linfield.edu)

• Carol McCulley, Reference and Distance Learning Librarian
  (503)883-2595; cmccull@linfield.edu)

• Barbara Valentine, Reference and Systems Librarian
  (503)883-2573; bvalen@linfield.edu)

• Susan Barnes Whyte, Library Director
  (503)883-2517; swhyte@linfield.edu)

• Patrice O'Donovan, Portland Campus Library Director
  (503)413-7820; odonovan@linfield.edu

Reference Desk Staff

Hours (during Fall & Spring semesters):
Mon - Thurs: 9am - Noon; 1pm - 5pm; 6pm - 1am
Friday: 9am - Noon; 1pm - 5pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 6pm - 1am

Reference librarians and specially trained Students are available during the above hours to help you with basic research and questions. Phone: 503-883-2518; Instant Message from anywhere to the reference desk staff

Library Instruction

The Reference Librarians at Linfield College meet with many classes to help students learn how to use library and Internet resources for their research assignments. If you feel that the students in your class could benefit from a session with a librarian, please contact (McMinnville Campus) Jean Caspers, Carol McCulley, Barbara Valentine or Susan Barnes Whyte and (Portland Campus) Patrice O'Donovan to make arrangements for one of them to meet with your class. Because many classes meet with librarians, it is recommended that you make arrangements as early in the semester as possible in order to get a date that is suitable to the timetable of the class research assignment.

Electronic Services

Linfield College Libraries provide access to a growing number of electronic resources for finding books, articles, documents, statistics, or facts. From the Linfield College Libraries home page you search Linfield Search for materials at Linfield, regionally, and worldwide.   In addition, there are dozens of online indexes and databases as well as journal subscriptions available in many different subject areas. Consult a reference librarian above for more information or if you would like assistance in selecting the appropriate database for your purposes.

Finally, the Reference Librarians can help you find relevant background and quick facts on a particular subject areas. Or browse our collection of academic online Encyclopedias and Reference on your own.

Contact us for a suggestion or an appointment today!