Reference Assistance

Reference service is individualized help in finding a specific piece of information, or locating specific items or materials on a topic. The Doe/ Moffitt Libraries provide research and reference assistance for current UC Berkeley and UC system students, as well as the public. Our emphasis is on the humanities, social sciences, area studies, and government information resources.

Reference is available most weekdays, evenings and during the day on weekends. Check service hours for the current schedule.

Reference Desks
Moffitt Reference desk (Moffitt Library, Floor 3) is a welcoming place for undergraduates to meet reference staff, be introduced to library services, and receive an orientation to the research process. A UC Berkeley ID must be presented to enter Moffitt.

Doe Reference desk, located in the Reference Center (Doe Library, Floor 2, 510-642-6657) provides general and specialized reference assistance to all individuals engaged in humanities, social sciences, and area studies research, including those needing assistance locating and using government information resources.

Art History/Classics, Media Resources Center, and South/Southeast Asia Library are specialized libraries in the Doe & Moffitt Libraries that offer reference assistance in their respective areas. Subject libraries across the campus offer similar assistance.

Research Advisory Service
UC Berkeley undergraduates working on research projects may sign up for a half-hour appointment with a reference specialist. Same-day appointments are offered during peak periods of the semester.

Research Consultation
Students, researchers, and scholars requiring the expertise of subject, language, or format specialists may request appointments by contacting the subject liaison directly.

Ask a Reference Question is an email reference service available to UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff. Subject liaisons may also be contacted directly for reference assistance in their respective areas.

Government Info IM Reference
Need help with research on legislation, human rights, census data, state budgets and more? The Government Documents unit of Doe/Moffitt is pleased to offer a chat reference service. UC Berkeley Librarians and library staff with backgrounds in local, state, national and international government affairs will be online Mon/Wed/Fri 1-5pm.

Government Info E-mail Reference
Need help with research on legislation, human rights, census data, state budgets and more? The Government Documents unit of Doe/Moffitt is pleased to offer online reference assistance.