Welcome to the Santa Cruz Public Library's email reference service. Email reference is limited to questions that have concise, factual answers. For more information about this service, see the FAQs.

Helping us to help you:

Please use the form below to submit your question. Include in your description the limits or context of the question -- e.g., is this for a school assignment, do you need historical or current information, what field of knowledge is the question related to -- the who, what, why, when and where of the question.

Contact Information (* indicates required information)

Your Name:*
Your Phone Number:
Your Email Address:*

Your Question

Subject of Your Question:

Type Your Question in the Form Below:
Please be as detailed as possible in describing your request

Newspaper Articles

If you are requesting a copy of an article from a Santa Cruz area newspaper, please be as specific as possible in your request, including the title of the newspaper and the date the article appeared. The library charges $5 for up to five article requests, and $1 for each additional in the same request. See the instruction page for additional information about how to obtain copies of an article.

FAQs

How many questions may I ask?

You may ask up to three questions per day. If you require further assistance, please visit your local library.

When will I get my answer?

Every reasonable attempt will be made by library staff to respond to email reference questions within 48 hours (except for holidays). If you have a more immediate need for reference services, please call the Telephone Reference Desk at (831) 420-5730, or visit your local library.

How do I obtain a copy of an obituary?

Obituary requests are handled by the Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz County.

What can you answer by email?

• We will answer questions that can be answered with short, factual responses, such as addresses or phone numbers of businesses or organizations, a historical fact or date, the source of a quotation, etc.
• We can suggest appropriate sources for beginning or continuing your research.

What can't you answer by email?

• We regret that we cannot offer in-depth reference services to patrons via email.
• We cannot provide answers that involve medical interpretation or legal advice.