Library Services (LLC): Reference & Instruction

When you need help finding college-appropriate resources, selecting the best databases to search, citing, and a whole lot more, GRCC librarians can help during Reference Service Hours.  

1. Speak with a librarian at the Reference Desk. 
2. Phone:  a Reference Librarian at (616) 234-3868 
3. Chat with a librarian using OneSearch Chat - we can share search results.
4. Email via Ask-a-Librarian.
5. Make an in-person, Zoom or Google Meet appointment with your academic department's Liaison Librarian  (Email links are also found on Library Subject Guides.)
6. Text (616) 201-4841 - great for short questions like "do we subscribe to***, what's the call number for ***?, etc.

When you select licensed resources from the Library website, a logon screen appears. 

• Type your last name and 7-digit Raider number - and you're "good to go."  (Hint - no "W" in front of #.)
• You will  be locked out of our server for 15 minutes if you enter the incorrect credentials too many times. 
• If your name & Raider # combination does not work, contact the Library Circulation Desk at 616-234-3872.

WHO CAN USE?  This email reference service is for GRCC students, faculty and staff. If you're a Middle College student, please tell us where you are taking your classes. 

WHO ANSWERS?  Questions are answered by GRCC's masters-degreed librarians.

WHEN?  Whenever reference librarians are on duty - see Reference Service Hours.  If we're closed, we will answer your question first thing on our next business day.

FOR BEST RESULTS:  The more you tell us, the better we can answer. What class is this for? Who is your professor? Any assignment specs, like peer-reviewed journals? MLA or APA citing?  Tell us where you've already looked. Typical questions include:

• The book XXX is already checked out. How can I get a copy?
• Where do I find scholarly and professional journals in *** field?
• How do I find the complete full-text for an article <insert the article citation>? 
• How do I cite this *** document in APA? <insert the URL for the librarian to view>
• I at the Lakeshore, and my instructor assigned a research paper.  There's no library here... what am I supposed to do?

Librarians will promptly contact you via your GRCC email or phone with an answer.