UW libraries offer extensive resources to help students in writing papers. Yet, many students don't know how to use library resources and procrastinate until crunch time.

Library Reference desks exist to help students do the research they need, such as coming up with paper topics, obtaining statistics or collecting obscure facts.

"Instructors have a habit of assuming that students know how to do more than they can," said Kathleen Collins, reference coordinator at the Odegaard Undergraduate Library. "Many students don't know where to begin distinguishing what is appropriate for their paper. There's more to it than just whacking words into Google."

Professors and TAs encourage students to use library resources to get a multitude of perspectives for their papers.

"There are a lot of things in the library that aren't on the Internet," said graduate student David Jessup. "I like to tell my students to take advantage of the incredible resources that are so close at hand."

College is a rare opportunity to learn valuable research skills, Jessup said.

"There's probably going to be no other time in your life when you will be this close to so much collected knowledge and wisdom under one roof," he said.

Many students are a bit intimidated approaching a reference librarian. They may feel awkward if they don't have a focused question or even a paper topic.

"If it's one thing I want students to know, it's that we try not to be scary," Collins said. "When panic hits, come to the reference desk for help."

There are 21 reference desks at the UW, 17 of them are on campus. The Suzzallo Library reference desk is a great place to begin because it is the largest, and from there students can be directed to another library that focuses on what they need, Collins said.

Students can also access online electronic reference desks, which are manned 24-hours a day, from home by going to the UW Libraries homepage and clicking the "ask us" button.

Free library research workshops are held multiple times each quarter for students on the first floor of the Odegaard Undergraduate Library.

Junior Casey Curtis, a political science major, attended a library workshop and found it helpful.

"I didn't feel intimidated at all," Curtis said, which was a welcomed change compared to her experiences at her previous school. "Ask the librarians. They're amazingly helpful."

The reference desk in Odegaard can be found on the second floor directly in front of the staircase and in Suzzallo on the first floor past the grand staircase.

More information about workshops and other library-related topics can be found online at lib.washington.edu.

Reach reporter Brandon Dennis at brandondennis@thedaily.washington.edu.