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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

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

  • Search for information in books, articles, or online

  • 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 instantly with a Kirkwood librarian. 

Texting:

Chat with a librarian by sending a text message to: 319-774-6491

Email:

Email questions to: library @ kirkwood.edu. 

Phone:

Talk to a librarian: 319-398-5697

Online research help (Zoom):

We can use Zoom to meet and screenshare. Use the "Ask a Librarian" chat function to get started.

Scheduled research consultation:

Open to any Kirkwood student or faculty. Follow the link below to fill out the request form. Enter your phone number to 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, 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

Iowa City Campus Library

107 Credit Center Building

1816 Lower Muscatine Rd., Iowa City, 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.