Research Help

Librarians are available for research help, in person or through the Ask a Librarian chat during the library's open hours. We help students and faculty:

• Search and locate information sources

• Define your research topic

• Create citations

• Evaluate sources

• Any other part of your research process

Instant messaging (chat):

Wherever you see "Ask a Librarian" on the library website, you can chat with a Kirkwood librarian. Just click on "Ask a Librarian" and a window will open where you can type in your question and get help in real time.

Text:

You can also chat with a librarian by sending a text message to: 319-774-6491

Email:

You can email questions to: library @ kirkwood.edu. 

Phone:

In Cedar Rapids (or any location): 319-398-5697

In Iowa City: 319-887-3613

Online research help (Zoom):

The library can share screens or video chat using Zoom software. It's a great way to get research help! Use the "Ask a Librarian" chat function to get started.

Scheduled research consultation:

• For students who prefer to plan their research help ahead of time, OR
• For students who know they have a big research assignment they need to work on, and know they want to make a good start by getting expert librarian help, OR
• For faculty or staff who could use some research assistance on a project, OR
• For any reason at all!

Just follow the link below, select a day and time, and fill out the form. There's also a spot to enter your phone number so you can get a reminder text before your appointment.

Remember:

If the time you want isn't available, but it's during our regular hours of operation, know that you can always come to the reference desk in person 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:

• Research Help
• Citations
• Evaluating web resources
• All guides
• Frequently Asked Questions

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.