UIUC Library | About Central Reference

About Central Reference

CENTRAL REFERENCE AT A GLANCE

Central Reference and Information Services provides information and instructional services that support the research needs of the University community and the general public.

Information Desk: Staff provides research assistance and online catalog instruction, answers ready reference questions, makes referrals and gives directional assistance.: Contact: phone (217) 333-2290, Ask A Librarian
Location: 2nd Floor of Main Library, near Circulation Desk/Stacks entrance
Reference Library: Collection and services support the research agenda and curriculum of the University, particularly in the social sciences and humanities.: Contact: phone (217) 333-2290; fax (217) 333-1116; e-mail reflib@uiuc.edu.
Location: Room 200, Main Library

SERVICES PROVIDED

Assistance with identifying, locating, and using print, digital and other library resources.
Course-related instruction in locating and using library resources.
Assistance with finding specific books, articles, conference papers, and other materials held by the UIUC libraries and other institutions.
Provision of factual information such as addresses, telephone numbers, statistics, and biographical data.
Consultation in formulating and pursuing library research strategies.
Online searching of selected bibliographic and other databases not available directly to users (e.g., RLIN).

STAFF

Beth Woodard, Head Reference Librarian & Training Coordinator
244-1882
bswoodar@uiuc.edu
Jo Kibbee, Reference Librarian
244-1883
jkibbee@uiuc.edu
Kathleen Kern, Graduate Assistant Coordinator & Reference Librarian
244-3604
katkern@uiuc.edu
(Vacant), Visiting Digital Resources & Reference Librarian
244-3770
Merinda Hensley , Library Instruction Coordinator & Reference Librarian
244-1880
mhensle1@uiuc.edu
Jose Bermudez, Office Manager
333-6237
jbermude@uiuc.edu
Dorey Panno, Collection Maintenance
333-1900
dpanno@uiuc.edu

The Information Desk is also staffed by graduate assistants from the UIUC Graduate School of Library and Information Science.

COLLECTION

Extensive biographical resources
Directories and other sources of addresses for institutions, agencies and businesses
Printed catalogs of national and major libraries, including the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library, the British Library and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France
Encyclopedias and dictionaries (general and subject-specific) in English and other Western Languages
Information on publishers
Guides to research in specific fields and disciplines
Indexes to periodical literature in various subject areas, both in print and via electronic databases

ABOUT THE REFERENCE ROOM WINDOWS

Small view of Reference Windows If you've ever looked up in the Reference Room or at the landing of the second floor stairs in the Main Library, you've surely noticed the beautiful tinted glass windows, each representing the mark of a prominent Renaissance printer. See this page for information on the printers' mark windows, and this page for descriptions and images of each individual window.