E-mail Reference
Thank you for asking a reference question. You should receive a reply in about 24 hours (Monday-Friday).
What is e-mail reference?
The Syracuse University Library offers reference service by e-mail. This service is intended to answer questions typically asked at the reference desk using the convenience of e-mail.
Who can use e-mail reference?
The Syracuse University Library e-mail reference service is available to current Syracuse University students, faculty and staff and those who have questions about Syracuse University or the unique collections of Syracuse University Library. Unaffiliated users who are not requesting information about Syracuse University are welcome to use our Alternate Resources
Response time
Our mailbox is checked at least once per day (Monday-Friday). General information questions are usually answered within 24 hours: specific questions may be referred to appropriate subject specialist and may add a slight delay in response. You will be notified of a referral. If you need immediate assistance you may call the reference desk at 315-443-4083 or visit us in person.
Alternate resources
You may want to check one or more of the following:
Reference Shelf:
Contains academic quality, Librarian-selected links to free reference material on the Web, including facts, statistics, definitions, biographies, style guides, news sources, career information, as well as tips for searching the Web.Resources Arranged by Subject:
This page is intended to provide subject-oriented information that is useful and relevant to Syracuse University students, faculty, and staff. These resources have been selected by a Subject Bibliographer.Internet Public Library Ready Reference Collection:
The IPL Ready Reference Collection is a collection of Internet resources gathered together with the needs of the Internet community in mind. It is not intended to be a comprehensive hotlist to all sites on every subject, but rather an annotated collection, chosen to help answer specific questions quickly and efficiently.Other department-specific web sites
Other department-specific e-mail reference
Requests are processed by:
Reference Department
Syracuse University Library
Phone: 443-4083
Email: libref@syr.edu


