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Introduction to the Library: Research Help

Welcome to Hampshire College! This guide will give you a brief overview of all the Harold F. Johnson library has to offer you as students.

Have Research? We Can Help!

Have research questions? We are available to students, faculty, and staff during the library's open hours - just ask at the InfoBar.

We are also available to help via email, phone, or by appointment (Zoom or in-person).

Ask us about:

  • citations
  • bibliographies
  • topic formation
  • referrals to writing center, CASA, OARS, and accessible technology
  • finding the best sources for your topics
  • finding study spaces that suit your needs
  • printing

Our Library Chat is available from the library home page and is a quick way to get in touch with one of our staff. If chat is not available, one of us will follow up by email as soon as we can!

We’re always evaluating technology options to figure out what tools will provide the best possible experience for our users, so keep an eye on our website and social media for forthcoming announcements! In the meantime, you can always reach us at library@hampshire.edu or by calling 413-559-5440.

How to Access E-Resources

If you have questions about using any of the online resources that Hampshire offers, we recommend checking out this research guide. It will teach you:

  • What is an e-resource?
  • What e-resources can I use as a Hampshire community member?
  • How do I connect to them?

As always, you can also reach out to library@hampshire.edu for research help or libtech@hampshire.edu for any technical problems you encounter in the process.

Meet Our Librarians

Rachel Beckwith: Library Director | Librarian for Arts and Humanities

she/her/hers | rbLO@hampshire.edu

Rachel came to Hampshire College in 2007 from Massachusetts College of Art & Design in Boston where she was a Public Services Librarian. Prior to that, Rachel worked at Dumbarton Oaks Museum & Library, Haverford College, and Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. She received her B.A. in Art History from the University of Pennsylvania, her M.A. in Art History from Bryn Mawr College, and her M.S. in Library and Information Science from Drexel University. Rachel first came to Hampshire as the Arts Librarian and then Associate Librarian for Access and Arts. When not at work, Rachel enjoys spending time with family in the Berkshires, cooking, traveling (when possible!), watching professional basketball and tennis (especially the Williams sisters!), going to museums, and reading.

 

Natane Halasz: Librarian for Science and Social Science

she/her/hers | nhLO@hampshire.eduPhoto of librarian Natane Halasz

Natane Halasz is the Science & Social Science Librarian for Hampshire, and helps students and faculty with research in the natural, cognitive, and social sciences (and beyond!). She’s also responsible for the library’s game and seed collections, and leading outreach efforts on behalf of the library. Natane took on this role in November 2021 after working in public libraries for four years. Natane also worked at Hampshire College from 2012-2017, and lived and worked in higher ed in Australia from 2001-2012. She earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College and her M.S.L.I.S from Simmons University. Natane enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

 

 

 

Jen Bolmarcich: Systems & Discovery Librarian

she/her/hers | jlbLO@hampshire.eduImage of a white woman with short, dark brown hair and glasses standing in front of a concrete wall.

Jen is keeper of all of the behind-the-scenes technology that it takes to run a library! She previously worked at Amherst College, where she was the Bicentennial Project Archivist, working on large-scale processing and digitization of college history collections. She loves trouble-shooting and solving problems, and is committed to making systems and metadata more accessible and inclusive. Jen received her MSLIS from Simmons University in 2017, and had a prior career in biotech. She loves knitting, gardening, and amusing her cats.