Ask a Librarian Online Reference

The online reference service at TCPL is available for ready-reference questions. We can provide brief answers to questions or suggest locations and sources to answer your question.

All questions will be answered within two business days, Monday - Friday, by email only.

As with all reference questions, email and online reference questions will remain confidential.

Guidelines

What We Can Do
  • Answer simple, factual questions such as:
    Who was . . . ?
    When did . . . ?
    What is . . . ?
  • Answer your questions about the library and library services
  • Answer simple questions about Ithaca and Tompkins County
What We Cannot Do via the Ask-a-Librarian email Service

The public service reference desk is staffed all the hours the library is open. You may call the Reference Desk during library hours at 607-272-4556.

If you live outside our community, you may contact your local public, school, or college library.

Submit a Question

Please fill in all parts of the email reference form. If you do not enter a complete and valid email address, we may not be able to respond to your question.

Use the form below to submit reference questions to Tompkins County Public Library librarians.
  • This service is available for providing brief answers to factual questions, as well as suggestions for resources which might help you find what you need.
  • To find out if a question is appropriate for this service, please consult our guidelines.
  • Questions will be answered by e-mail Monday - Friday, with a response time of two business days (for example, a question received Friday will be answered by Tuesday).
  • If you need immediate reference assistance, please call our telephone reference service at 607-272-4556.

Please fill in all spaces as provided:

First Name:

Last Name:

Phone: (In case clarification is needed)

E-Mail:

Your Reference Question:
(Please be clear and concise)

Sources Consulted:
(Please list resources that you have used such as books or the Internet.)

Reason for your Request:
Elementary/Middle School Student
High School Student
College Student
Personal
Professional

Note: If you experience difficulties applying online, please call:
607-272-4556 or send an e-mail to askalibrarian@tcpl.org.

(If you would like to chat with a librarian online to ask a reference question, please visit the Ask Us 24/7 information page. Note that you may not be chatting with a librarian from this library.)

Page last modified Mar 30, 2011