My Personal Librarian

In September 2010, Drexel University Library launched its personal librarian program, assigning each incoming freshman a library staff member to help guide them through their first year of negotiating library resources.

That means if you started as a freshman in September 2010 or later, you’ve got a personal librarian.

Want more information? Here are the basics:

Who is my personal librarian?

That one's easy. Find yours on the library's personal librarian finder.

What does my personal librarian do?

Your personal librarian is your first contact from the library. He or she is a seasoned library staff member who knows its ins and outs and can help you navigate through its thousands of resources. Contact your personal librarian whenever you have a question about library resources and policies, or about doing research.

Find your personal librarian.

My personal librarian is out today and I need help NOW!

No problem! In addition to your personal librarian, Drexel Library has professional question answerers on call from early morning to late and night. You can visit them at the reference desk or place a call, send an email, zap a text message, or even jump on IM.

I’m not a freshman; who’s going to help me?

We are in the research business, and personal and reference librarians are only a few of the people who can help you with your research. We’ve got subject librarians for every major and area of study here at Drexel University. Get in touch and set up an appointment with one of our expert subject librarians.

I need help with my: a) writing; b) math homework; c) computer

The library loves to help, but there are some things even we can’t do. If you need a tutor, a counselor, an IT professional, or an English conversationalist, we’ll help you find someone who can offer their expertise.

I still want more information.

Guess what: call your personal librarian! Find yours on the personal librarian finder. If that won't work for you, please get in touch with our reference desk. We love to questions of all kinds, and we'll gladly answer yours.

Fast Facts:

In its first year, the personal librarian program:

matched 2,800 Drexel freshmen with 26 library staff members .
fielded 45 questions in response to our letters and emails.
welcomed 298 freshman visitors to the library in the first three weeks of class with gifts.

Press about Drexel's Personal Librarian Program:

The Chronicle of Higher Education:
"Drexel Freshmen Get Help From ‘Personal Librarians.’"

Library Journal:
"Drexel University, Drawing on Yale Example, Implements Personal Librarian Program."
"Are Personal Librarians a Waste of Time?"
"Personal Librarian Program, Drexel University."

The Huffington Post:
"Make Life Easier: Ask a Librarian."

Content Editor: Jenny James Lee
Last Updated: 01/05/2012

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