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Research Help

A help guide on some key activities involved in research processes.

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Research Help from Librarians

Ask a librarian for research help, in person or through the Ask a Librarian chat. We can help you:

  • Search for articles and books

  • Figure out a research topic

  • Make your citations

  • Choose reliable sources

Many ways to get help:

  • Chat where you see "Ask a Librarian"  
  • Text a question to: 319-774-6491
  • Email questions to: library @ kirkwood.edu
  • Call a librarian: 319-398-5697
  • Live online help with Zoom: Use the "Ask a Librarian" chat function to get started.
  • Ask for help any time, or make an appointment for in-depth research consultation. Follow the link below to get started!
Remember: If the time you want isn't available, but it's during our regular hours of operation, you can still get help at the reference desk or through the Ask a Librarian chat.
What if we're closed? We have many online guides where you might find answers to your questions:

How to get online help with screenshare

Librarians can help you at a distance through the Ask a Librarian chat and Zoom. Follow these steps:

  1. On the Library website, click on the "Ask a Librarian" chat (instant messaging), visible as a blue tab at the right side of each page.
  2. Fill out the form and click "Submit".
  3. The librarian will chat with you, and determine if they need to see your computer screen. If they do, they will send you an invitation through the chat to "Join the screensharing session". Click on the link.
  4. Zoom should open on your computer. Give permission to download if needed.
  5. Click "Join with Computer Audio" if prompted.
  6. Select "Share Screen" on the Zoom window that opens. (See screenshot)
  7. If you or the librarian can't talk through the computer mic and speakers, open the Zoom chat so you can continue to chat with the librarian: click on "More..." at the very top of your Zoom screen, then select "Chat".
  8. The librarian may request to control your screen, so that they can see your screen, click, and type. You will get a request to accept remote control of your screen that you need to allow. (Remote control allows the librarian access to your screen. You may end their remote control at any time by clicking on "Stop Share" at the very top of your screen.
  9. If you're not using audio, watch the chat in case the librarian needs to communicate with you.

If you have technical problems getting this Zoom session to run, see this help guide for more information.


Cedar Rapids Campus Library

Benton Hall

6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA

 

If you need disability-related accommodations in order to use the Library, our website, or our resources, please contact the library at library@kirkwood.edu or 319-398-5697.