Reference Questions by e-Mail

Your library may allow you to send a question to a librarian by e-mail through Polaris, and receive a response by e-mail. Your library may require a patron barcode number and password to use this feature.

Objective: Send a question to the library

Follow these steps to send a question to the library listed in the Currently logged into box.

1. Select Library Info on the menu bar, and select Ask Us on the Library Info submenu.
2. If Polaris requests your barcode number (library account number) and password, type the barcode and password in the appropriate boxes, and click Log In to submit the information.

Note:
Your library may allow you to send a question without logging in. If so, you can click Guest on the log-in page to go straight to the form where you type your question.

The Ask Us form is displayed. If you were required to log in, information from your patron account fills the boxes in the top part of the form.

Note:
If you clicked Guest to open the form, no barcode field is displayed, and your personal information is blank.

3. Type the e-mail address that should receive the response in the Your email address box. Your e-mail address must include the @ symbol and a period (example: jsmith@yournet.com).

   You can also supply the date by which you need the response, and (if you did not log in) your name and your telephone number. This information is optional.

4. Type your question in the What is your question area, and click Send.

   Your question is sent via e-mail to library staff at the library listed in the Currently logged into box, who respond by e-mail or telephone.

Important:
Protect your privacy. If you see in the menu bar, you are logged in. Be sure to click before you leave the computer.

Related Topics

• Live virtual reference services - Your library may provide the option of communicating with a reference librarian online, instead of sending an e-mail message. For more information, see "Live Virtual Reference Services".