Children's Services Email Reference Service

Have a question for an MCPL Children's Librarian?
Please email childref@monroe.lib.in.us
with questions pertaining to children's literature or materials and programs provided by the MCPL Children's Deptartment.

The Children's Dept. Email Reference Service is intended primarily for residents of Monroe County, Indiana, and others who hold a Monroe County Public Library borrower's card.

Email is not usually the best or fastest way to ask your question. If the library is open it would be best to give us a call at 812-349-3100. If you live outside the Monroe County area, your best strategy will usually be to contact your local public, school, college or university library.

What can Children's Dept. Email Reference do for you?

• We can answer simple factual questions.
  • Who wrote ...?
  • What is the address of ...?
• We can refer you to other sources.
  • Web sites
  • Organizations involved with the topic of your question
• We can answer your questions about the Children's Dept. and help you obtain items from our collection.
  • If you would like us to pull items and have them waiting for you at the driveup window or the first floor checkout desk, please check the Library Catalog first to make sure that the item is not already checked out.

What we cannot do through Email Reference:

• Lengthy research
• Complex questions
• Questions requiring interpretation or analysis
• Homework assignments (unless they fall under the guidelines listed at left.)

For these types of questions, we usually ask that you come in to the library where, after determining your need, a librarian can help you learn how to use the resources that may best meet your needs and assist you with your research. Students in grades K-6 can also receive help with homework assignments in the Children's Dept. Homework Center.