Overview
Reference librarians strive to provide high-quality, in-depth research advice and assistance at five interdisciplinary service points: Doheny Reference, Leavey Information Commons, Science and Engineering Library, Urban Public and International Affairs Interdisciplinary Center, and Specialized Libraries and Archival Collections. Subject specialists in various areas of the humanities, social sciences and sciences offer coordinated reference services at these locations; and, when appropriate, refer researchers to outside resources; build, maintain and preserve the reference collections in various formats to meet the teaching and research needs of students and faculty; and collaborate with faculty and students in the creation of new information and tools. Doheny Research Services is the central home of coordinated, interdisciplinary reference service and serves as the core reference site. For further information on our services, contact Shahla Bahavar, USC Libraries Reference Coordinator, bahavar@usc.edu, or Susan Gardner, USC Libraries Assistant Reference Coordinator, susangar@usc.edu.
News & Announcements
Tiered Reference Tutorials
Try out these new Flash tutorials developed as part of Module 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Tiered Reference Training Project. These initial tutorials all have an audio component. In order to use the tutorials, you need to enable the sound on your computer. Headsets are available for checkout at Leavey Library and the Music Library. Versions with text insted of audio are forthcoming.
Collaboration on QuestionPoint chat services
USC reference specialists are participating in a pilot program to offer extended chat reference service in collaboration with Greater Western Library Alliance member libraries, Iowa State University, University of Arkansas and recently University of Hawaii.
Virtual Reference Desk Conference Presentation
USC Libraries Outreach Coordinator, Judy Truelson and Reference Coordinator, Shahla Bahavar, presented “Crafting A Reference Future with Preferred Futuring: the University of Southern California Experience” at the sixth annual Virtual Reference Desk Reference conference in November in Cincinnati, Ohio.
View Conference Presentation