Virtual Reference and Chat Services

Welcome to the MHS Virtual Reference page! During our current building closure we want to make our reference staff available to you in real time. Librarians are available for live meetings by appointment via Zoom, or you can live chat with a member of the reference staff. Please remember that while we do not have physical access to our collections, the help we can offer may be limited.

Virtual Meetings

The Library Reader Services team is utilizing Zoom to conduct virtual one-on-one meetings with researchers. This option allows you to see and speak with a member of our reference staff and to present your research questions in-person, rather than via e-mail or voicemail.

If you would like to schedule a virtual appointment with a librarian, please e-mail library@masshist.org and a staff member will coordinate with you to find a convenient time.

Live Chat

Another way to communicate with the MHS library staff is to conduct a live chat session with a librarian. To initiate a live chat session with a librarian, just click the "Ask a Librarian" button below, submit your question in the chat box, and the first available librarian will respond. The service is available Monday through Friday, 10:00AM-4:00PM (all times Eastern). Chat is unavailable on weekends and holidays when the library is closed.