Reference Services
Whatever your subject interest, we have resources both online and in our libraries that can help you find the information that you need and the materials you want!
QUICK ANSWERS BY PHONE - call us at 251-208-7078
ONLINE - Search the MPL Online Catalog or find your answers in our Premium Online Resources. We have online access to thousands of journal, magazine and newspaper articles from around the world, Literary Criticism, the ReferenceUSA Business and People directory, Encyclopedia Britannica, Auto Repair Manuals and more! And there are hundreds of links to quality sites on the internet for all kinds of topics!
ASK A LIBRARIAN - get answers to brief factual questions via e-mail
IN-DEPTH HELP - visit the Ben May Main Library for research materials on everything under the sun including business, laws and regulations, medicine, biography, art and collectibles, colleges and careers, patents and trademarks, travel, etc.
REFERENCE BY APPOINTMENT AND ORIENTATION TOURS - Can't decide how to approach a research problem? Need special help with scholarship or job searches? Call 251-208-7078 or e-mail us at refsvcs@mplonline.org to schedule a 20 minute appointment with a Reference staff member who will help you get started.
COMPUTER CLASSES - If you'd like help with the Alabama Virtual Library, basics of using a computer, Office software, the Internet or the use of our on-line catalog we recommend attending one of our Classes.
PROCTORING SERVICES - We offer proctoring services for those of you attending school remotely.
DOCUMENT DELIVERY - Want a copy of a page from a reference source faxed to your home or business?
Call 251-208-7078 and request Document Delivery. Cost is only 50 cents per page charged to your library card.
QUICK ANSWERS BY PHONE - call us at 251-208-7078
ONLINE - Search the MPL Online Catalog or find your answers in our Premium Online Resources. We have online access to thousands of journal, magazine and newspaper articles from around the world, Literary Criticism, the ReferenceUSA Business and People directory, Encyclopedia Britannica, Auto Repair Manuals and more! And there are hundreds of links to quality sites on the internet for all kinds of topics!
ASK A LIBRARIAN - get answers to brief factual questions via e-mail
IN-DEPTH HELP - visit the Ben May Main Library for research materials on everything under the sun including business, laws and regulations, medicine, biography, art and collectibles, colleges and careers, patents and trademarks, travel, etc.
REFERENCE BY APPOINTMENT AND ORIENTATION TOURS - Can't decide how to approach a research problem? Need special help with scholarship or job searches? Call 251-208-7078 or e-mail us at refsvcs@mplonline.org to schedule a 20 minute appointment with a Reference staff member who will help you get started.
COMPUTER CLASSES - If you'd like help with the Alabama Virtual Library, basics of using a computer, Office software, the Internet or the use of our on-line catalog we recommend attending one of our Classes.
PROCTORING SERVICES - We offer proctoring services for those of you attending school remotely.
- Tests may be taken online or in written form and can last up to 3 hours.
- Tests are taken in a non-reserved, public area of the library that may not be free from distraction.
- Proctors provide a moderate level of monitoring, but are engaged in other activities during the test.
- A fee of $25 is charged for each test session and must be paid in advance of test administration.
- Proctoring is available at the Ben May Main Library, Moorer/Spring Hill Branch, Parkway Branch, Saraland Public Library, Toulminville Branch and West Regional Branch. Please contact one of these libraries directly when you have need to make arrangements for a particular test.
DOCUMENT DELIVERY - Want a copy of a page from a reference source faxed to your home or business?
Call 251-208-7078 and request Document Delivery. Cost is only 50 cents per page charged to your library card.
