Reference and Instruction 

Think Helmke! for expert reference and information services. Whether you are an IPFW student, an IPFW faculty or staff member, or a visitor from the community, use this page to discover the expert guidance that librarians and library staff at Helmke Library can offer you.

We especially want you to know that the librarians at Helmke Library have developed a dynamic Web site called the Integrated Information Foraging Environment or IIFE Web. The library's IIFE Web site is a virtual landscape in which you can expect to encounter high-quality information resources and tools designed to improve your information-foraging success.

Reference and Information Services

Reference Assistance

Information assistants at the Service Desk will provide basic reference assistance for IUCAT (Indiana University's online library catalog) and show you how to access many other databases and indexes available at Helmke Library. Our staff will demonstrate how to use equipment in the library and let you know how to take advantage of our services such as ReservesEXpress and Document Delivery Services. Stop by the Service Desk on the first floor or call 260-481-6505 for assistance during regular Library Hours.

Research Consultation

In-depth research consultation with a librarian is available on walk-in and appointment basis. These one-on-one sessions usually last about 30 minutes, and are designed to help you develop successful information-foraging skills. Appointments can be scheduled at your convenience by stopping by or calling the Service Desk at 260-481-6505.

Our Library Tour gives you an overview of to expect when you arrange for a research consultation with a librarian. Our Ask a Librarian page highlights all of the ways you can get in touch with a librarian.

Reference and Information Services Staff

Every academic department and program at IPFW has a specialist liaison librarian. To Find Your Librarian by broad subject or major field of research, select the person you would like to contact and get in touch by e-mail or phone.

Reference and information services librarians are also included in the Library Staff Directory, organized by library unit.

You can always get in touch with the right person by clicking on their linked name anywhere throughout the library's Web site. A personalized mail-to form will appear. We also respond promptly to reference questions sent to ref@ipfw.edu.

IPFW librarians work with the faculty to select books and other library materials, review serials and reference collections, and prepare special-needs grant applications to improve or maintain our collection strengths. Librarians are also available to assist the faculty in preparing program reviews, accreditation reports, proposals for new degrees, and learning outcomes for their core and required courses.

Not sure where to start? Think Helmke!

Instructional Services

Information Literacy Tool Kits

Helmke Library's Information Literacy Tool Kits is the online place to hone your Information Literacy Proficiencies and learn how to exploit your Integrated Information Foraging Environment or IIFE Web at IPFW. Here you'll discover what resources are available to help both instructors and students successfully complete library assignments and research papers. The Information Literacy Tool Kits are designed to reinforce what you learn in a one-on-one reference consulting session and in the classroom. And best of all, it's online 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

Librarian-Faculty Information Literacy Partnership

Find out more about our Librarian-Faculty Information Literacy Partnership and sign up for a class session that is custom designed just for your students. Librarians at Helmke Library teach library skills and information literacy through a two-tiered approach. First, there is our train-the-trainer instruction program for faculty teaching beginning students. Second, we offer an in-class instruction program for students taking advanced classes.

Contact your department's liaison librarian for more information. Think Helmke!

Faculty Workshops

Faculty members are always welcome to get some timely, hands-on experience using databases and other library resources. Meet with your liaison librarian, and let us show you useful tools that will help you teach your students about information literacy and the skills they need to become lifelong learners.

We regularly develop faculty workshops and promote them in venues such as brown-bag events on campus or through the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT). Whether you're a new or veteran instructor, there's always something new for you at IPFW Helmke Library.

Library Training Sessions

The library's Training Group is a standing committee that coordinates staff training initiatives and schedules a series of training sessions on Thursday afternoons. These sessions are primarily aimed at librarians and library staff, but the audience may be expanded to include IPFW faculty, staff, and local area librarians when appropriate.
Please note that the training session schedule linked below is fluid and sessions are added, canceled, and rescheduled throughout the semester. Please contact the Training Group or the individual presenter for last-minute changes and registration information.

• Library Training Sessions

Need expert reference and information services? Think Helmke!