How to get research help

Looking for quick research help? Chat online

For quick help, chat live with research experts via AskAway.

Ask us by email

Looking for a place to start?

For most research questions, you can use our Ask a Librarian by Email service.

Most answers in one business day or less.

Contact a liaison librarian for in-depth research guidance

Working on a longer-term project, and need more specialised help?

For more personalised assistance (especially for graduate and honours students), you can contact a liaison librarian directly. Liaison librarians are specialists in the information sources and approaches for the different SFU faculties, departments, and disciplines.

Browse by librarians' specialties to find "your" librarian!

How long will it take? Note that email can take some time. Please allow at least one working day for our general email service, and longer for requests to liaison librarians. 

More Library help

Self-service: Get the answers you need on the Library's website -- any time

For almost any question about Library research or services, start by searching our site or checking FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) -- night or day.

Looking for research strategies or resources, or want to browse by academic discipline? Start with Research guides.

Contact us: Library services, departments, and key staff contacts

Reaching us during COVID-19:

• Please use email whenever possible. (At this time most Library staff are not on-site to answer phone calls.)
• If you leave a phone message, please include your email address to help us respond to you.

Find Library departments and key staff members: 

• See Contact us: Phone numbers, email addresses, and key staff contacts for contact information for departments and key staff, including Library management.
• Or search our site for the service or area you're looking for.

Get help and report problems with the Catalogue or technical issues

For technical problems while using the Library's website, or to report errors or technical problems in our Catalogue, contact us for technical assistance:

• by email at libhelp@sfu.ca
• by telephone during library hours. Call us at 778.782.4706.