Reference

Librarians are available weekdays from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm for research help at the Reference Desk in the Library Information Commons (LInC) on the 4th floor of the LRC. During evening and weekend hours, student workers can answer basic questions.

Research help can also be requested by phone (918-495-6887) or email (LibRef@oru.edu). For more information see the Ask-A-Librarian web page.

Librarians can answer questions regarding the ORU Library collection, services, and research, assistance with refining research strategies, and help finding valid, reliable information sources on the Internet.

Reference Services:

  • Database Searching Assistance
    The reference librarians and staff provide assistance in the Reference Room during the hours listed above. Additional reference assistance is available by appointment.  Information sheets concerning available online periodical databases, instructional sample searches, and other subject guides are available in the carousel near the Reference Desk, 4th floor LRC.  Many of them are on the Library Web Page under Library Guides.  
  • ORU's Online Library Catalog
    Assistance is available for searching ORU's library holdings through the online public access catalog (PAC). Books, periodical titles and holdings, audiovisual, and microform collections can be searched by subject, title and author. The available electronic books are being added to the catalog.  For a complete search of electronic books see e-books.  (Note that periodical contents or articles are not found through the catalog (PAC).  These must be searched through the Databases.
  • Off-Campus Access
    ORU students, faculty, and staff have access to ORU Library electronic resources 24/7 from any Internet connection.  See Remote Access to ORU Library Databases for more detailed information.  Questions concerning Novell login and email accounts should be referred to the Information Technology Help Desk (faculty) and the Academic Computing Lab, GC 2A01 (students).
  • Distance Learner Services
    Special reference assistance is provided by email or phone for distance learners (for those ORU students living more than one hour from campus). See Distance Learning Library Services for additional information.

For more information, or to place a reference inquiry, call the O.R.U. Library Reference Desk at 495-6887 or or contact one of the staff listed below.  When you call, we may be busy helping other patrons and may have to return your call.  If you will leave a message, we will return your call as soon as possible

Reference Personnel:

Reference Librarians' Offices are also located on the 4th floor of the LRC.

  • Peggy Pixley, Head Reference Librarian (ext. 6732) ppixley@oru.edu
  • Myra Bloom, Bibliographic Instruction/Reference Librarian (ext. 7174) mbloom@oru.edu
  • Jane Malcolm, Assistant Director of Public Services(ext. 7495) jmalcolm@oru.edu

Faculty Instructional Services/Tours:

Library tours and instruction by a librarian to prepare students for efficient library use can be arranged. Sessions should be scheduled in advance by completing a request form. Forms are also available at the Reference Desk.

  • For information on class (group) library tours and student instruction contact Myra Bloom, ext. 7174.
  • For information on faculty workshops and instruction contact Sally Shelton, ext. 6902.
  • For further information on individual instruction contact Peggy Pixley, ext. 6732.