Ask a Librarian is a vital service available to anyone at St. Thomas to get help with many different questions about the library and research.

Wondering what kinds of questions to ask a librarian?  Here are a few examples:

• How do I start a research project?
• How can I find a specific book or article?
• How do I know if an article or book is a good one to use?
• How do I cite a source in my bibliography?
• What types of sources would be good for my project?
• How do I know if an article is peer-reviewed?
• I’m trying to find research on a topic and I’m just not finding any, what should I do?
• I’m trying to find research on a topic and I have way too many results, what do I do?
• I found an article on my topic but it’s too old, how do I find something newer?
• How do I know if I’ve found enough sources for a research assignment?
• I want to look through a specific journal, do you have it?
• I have an interview with a company, how can I find out more information about that company?

To get answers to these and other library questions, use our Ask a Librarian Service.

Connect with a St. Thomas librarian!

You can connect with a librarian via the Chat tool (purple box at bottom right of the library page) or simply send a text (651-504-1324).

St. Thomas librarians will be available to answer Ask a Librarian questions

• Monday-Thursday 10:00am – 10:00pm
• Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm
• Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 pm

What if you have questions outside those hours? 

No worries! We are part of a cooperative reference service called AskMN. That means that during off-hours, our chat and text messages are answered right away by other academic librarians around the country (and in exchange, some of our librarians answer questions from students at other libraries around the country).  If the other librarians can’t fully answer your question, they’ll pass it along to us and we’ll get back to you when we’re back.

You can also ask a librarian via Email.

Email a librarian anytime or use our Ask a Librarian form and we’ll answer within one business day.

Don’t forget about Research Consultations with a subject librarian! 

Our subject librarians are experts in the tools and resources for their subjects.  They are available to meet with you to help with in-depth questions via Zoom, phone, or email: whatever works best for you!  Don’t know who your subject librarian is?  Check our Subject Librarian page to find your librarian and how to contact them.