Get Help from a Librarian
Use this page to contact or make an appointment with Ida Martinez if you need help with your research.
If you need immediate assistance, use our 24/7 chat service.
Chat or Email
Reference Desks
Undergraduate (UGL): 313-577-8852
Purdy/Kresge: 313-577-6423
Arthur Neef Law: 313-577-6180
Shiffman Medical: 313-577-1094
Writing Center
The Writing Center offers assistance with all stages of writing process. The center is located on the 2nd floor of the Undergraduate Library.
For an in-person or online appointment, use the website or call (313) 577-2544.
- Getting Help with Writing GuideThis guide from the Writing Center and the Libraries has resources to support you through the writing process, from finding a topic, writing your paper, and creating your bibliography.
QuickSearch
The library home page has a "QuickSearch" box that you can use to do a broad search on your topic. It will return results for books, articles, and more. [Video tutorial]
Summon
From the library home page, click on "Summon" in the upper right or use the Summon search box below to locate books, articles, and more available through the Wayne State library system. [Video tutorial]
Library Catalog
Use the search box below, or go to the WSU Library catalog advanced search page, to find print and electronic books by title, keyword, ISBN number, or other search strategies. You can watch this brief video on how to search the library catalog:
Search Google Scholar
Use Google Scholar to find articles on your topic, but do not depend entirely on Google Scholar.
Research Management (Notes, Research, Citing, Writing)
There are many online tools and resources you can use to help you with managing your research papers and projects.
- Research Paper/Project Topic IdeasSometimes it's difficult to come up with a good research topic. Browse this list of topics and resources if you need help.
- Assignment PlannerEnter a start date and a due date for your research paper or project, and the Assignment Planner will calculate a 12-step program to help you organize your research and writing, with goals and due dates. Stay on schedule with text message alerts!
- EvernoteEvernote's free version is a multi-platform cloud based workspace that organizes notes, to-do lists and clips from the web.
Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources. You can use Zotero to save citations directly from internet search results and library databases, take notes, share resources for group projects and use your saved Zotero citations with Word to insert properly formatted in-text citations and build your bibliography in a variety of citation styles including MLA and APA.
For more information on using Zotero at Wayne State, try our Zotero Guide