Email Reference

What is Email Reference?

Email Reference is a service offered by the Elizabethtown Community College Media Center to students, faculty and community patrons in the Elizabethtown service area. Patrons may email the Reference desk and request answers to short, factual questions.

What kinds of questions may be answered through Email Reference?

Citation verification (information such as date of publication to help you complete your bibliography or endnotes)
Brief factual information not requiring extensive research such as:
- Short biographical information such as a person's birth date
- Definition of a term
- Facts such as the height of a well-known building
Contact information for publishers, companies, government agencies
Assistance in getting started on a research paper such as:
- Identifying online databases or Internet sites that would be helpful
- Questions such as "Where can I find a book review?"
- Assistance in accessing databases from home

What kinds of questions may NOT be answered through Email Reference?

Complex or involved research requests
- We can provide suggestions for Internet sites or online databases or search tips for these.
Lengthy text from print resources (possible copyright infringement here)
Requests for photocopies to be mailed or faxed
Legal advice
Medical advice
Financial or tax advice

What should I do before requesting assistance through Email Reference?

Search our book catalog and online databases. For more information and links to the catalog and databases, click here.

When can I expect a response?

You should expect a response to your request within 48 hours (Monday through Friday) after emailing the request. If you do not hear from us, please contact the Media Center at 270-769-2371, x68812.

How do I make a Email Reference request?

Send an email to the Reference Librarian. Put the word "reference" in the subject line. In the body of the message provide your name, enrollment status (student - main campus; student - off-campus; faculty; staff; community patron,) telephone number, and your question.