Reference Services

MCA Library Reference Services help students, academic staff, researchers and other authorised users identify, locate and use relevant information resources for learning, teaching and research.

The service includes guidance on information searching and on the selection of appropriate Library materials. Reference assistance is available through the MCA Library service points and through the Library's online Ask a Librarian service.

What Is Reference Service?

Reference Service is the Library service through which users receive consultation on searching for information and choosing suitable materials for their information needs.

Reference assistance can support a user's first steps in locating information as well as more focused academic and research enquiries.

How We Can Help

Catalogue Searching

Assistance with searching the MCA Library catalogue and identifying relevant records, subjects, authors and titles.

Information Searching

Guidance on developing useful keywords, search terms and strategies for locating relevant information.

Source Selection

Help identifying information sources that are appropriate to an assignment, project, dissertation or research need.

Electronic Resources

Guidance on discovering and using electronic databases, e-books, e-journals and other digital Library resources.

Literature Searching

Support in developing and refining searches for scholarly literature and subject-specific information.

Research Support

Assistance with information discovery for research, including dissertations, theses, projects and other scholarly work.

Who Can Use the Service?

Reference assistance is available to eligible MCA Library users in accordance with the Library's membership and access arrangements.

When requesting assistance, please identify your campus and briefly describe the information you are seeking.

Ask a Librarian Online

Users can also request assistance through the MCA Library's online Ask a Librarian service. When live chat is available, the Library's chat service provides a direct channel for communicating with a librarian.

For the fastest assistance, use the chat button displayed on this Library Website.

Please include your campus and a short description of your information need so that the librarian can respond appropriately.

Good Questions Help Us Help You

For a research or assignment enquiry, provide as much context as is appropriate. Useful information may include:

  • Your campus
  • Your programme or department, where relevant
  • Your assignment, project or research topic
  • The question or information need you are trying to answer
  • Keywords or sources you have already tried
  • The type of resource you need, where known

Reference Service and Academic Integrity

Reference assistance helps users discover and use information resources. Librarians can provide guidance on information searching, source discovery and appropriate use of Library resources.

Users remain responsible for evaluating sources, complying with academic requirements, acknowledging sources appropriately and following the College's rules on academic integrity, copyright and responsible use of information.

Visit the Library

Reference assistance is available through the MCA Library service points at the College's three campuses: Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.

For current operating hours, please see the Library's Opening Hours page before visiting.

Related Services

Ask a Librarian

Get direct assistance from the Library through the online chat service.

Research Support

Explore additional support for literature searching, databases, referencing and research information needs.

Search the Catalogue

Search the MCA Library collection for books and other available resources.

Search the Catalogue