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Reference & Research Services: What We Do

Reference Librarians: We make your research easier & your results better!

Overview of Reference & Research Services

ODU reference librarians provide reference and research assistance to the ODU community in person, by phone, and by email.

Reference librarians, all of whom have a Master's degree in Library and Information Science, are here to help you:

  • Find the quality information you need
  • Generate effective search terms
  • Plan your research
  • Identify and use research tools strategically
  • Evaluate the information and resources you find
  • Learn how to conduct increasingly independent research  

Librarians do not, however, supply answers to students' assignments, do students' research, or compile bibliographies of information sources, and we typically refer computer hardware and software questions to the ODU Computer Helpdesk and citation questions to the Write Place.

ODU Library Reference Services reflects the Guidelines for Information Services of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association. These national guidelines address the following areas of information service: Services - Resources - Access - Personnel - Evaluation - Ethics. 

For Faculty & Staff

One-on-one Consultations

Librarians are available for one-on-one research consultation to help you:

  • Identify available resources for your classes
  • Be aware of the library resources & services available to your online students & how best to integrate them into PantherLearn
  • Identify the most effective resources & search strategies for your research
  • Create search alerts to help keep you up-to-date on the latest research
  • Identify journals for potential publication
  • Learn all of the options you have through ODU Library for your research needs

Citation Searching

Are you having difficulty finding the article, book, or video you need? Let us help! Librarians are available to help find those difficult citations.

Collaboration on Research Assignments

Faculty, when you create or revise a research assignment, a librarian can work with you to ensure the following:

  • Adequate library resource coverage for student research assignments
  • Complete access to available online content
  • Updates to online or print resources reflected in assignment
  • Ultimately, the most effective student hands-on experience with Library resources

Research Assignment Alerts

Faculty, please share your assignment details with librarians so that we can prepare to assist your students to the best extent possible. Email your assignment details to refdesk@ohiodominican.edu, or use our online Research Assignment Alert form.

Orientation & Resource Kit

Do you want to know more about the resources available to you at Ohio Dominican, online, or statewide or what your students have access to? We would be happy to meet with you for a personalized orientation to the Library and its resources You can also view our Library Resource Kit for Faculty & Staff.