Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions of the James J. Hill Reference Library.
Is the James J. Hill Reference Library open to the public?
Who uses the Hill Library's services?
Is the Library's staff adequately experienced to handle my business questions?
How can I request assistance from a Business Information Specialist?
Can someone show me how to use the Library's resources and how to conduct business research?
Are my conversations with a Business Specialist confidential?
Does it cost money to use the Library's research services?
Does the Hill Library provide in-depth research services?
What are the Library's policies regarding fair use and copyright?
Is the James J. Hill Reference Library's physical structure historically significant?
Can I find information on James J. Hill at the Hill Library?
Q. Is the James J. Hill Reference Library open to the public?
A. Yes. Although the James J. Hill Reference Library is not a publicly-funded library, it is free and open to the general public. The Hill Library is classified as a special library and is funded by an endowment, membership fees, donations, and other private sources. In 1976, the James J. Hill Reference Library chose a niche that reflected its benefactor's legacy: business. Today, the Hill Library has become the singular outstanding private business library in the country.
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Q. Who uses the Hill Library's services?
A. The Hill Library serves a broad constituency including entrepreneurs, businesspeople, consultants, educators, students, and employees of other nonprofit organizations.
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Q. Is the Hill Library's staff adequately experienced to assist with my business questions?
A. Yes. The combined business research experience of the Library's professional staff exceeds 100 years. All Hill Library Business Information Specialists are masters-degree educated professional researchers and librarians. They relish challenging business questions, such as: What’s the average inventory turnover for a craft shop?
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Q. How can I request assistance from a Business Information Specialist?
A. Many clients contact our staff via phone (877-700-4455 OR 651-265-5500), email and the Internet. Others pay a personal visit to the Hill Library, located at 80 West 4th Street in downtown Saint Paul, MN.
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Q. Can someone show me how to use the Hill Library's resources and how to conduct business research?
A. Yes. The Library offers monthly orientation tours and weekly online research classes. For more information on these and other training opportunities, click here.
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Q. Are my conversations with a Business Information Specialist confidential?
A. Yes. Hill Library Business Information Specialists realize that often clients want information to help start a new business or expand an existing one. Every conversation you have with a Hill Library Business Information Specialist - in the Hill Library, on the phone, via email or over the Internet - is strictly confidential.
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Q. Does it cost money to use the Hill Library's services?
A. Hill Library Business Information Specialists provide reference assistance at no cost to visitors and callers. At the Hill Library, nominal fees are charged for photocopying, printing or downloading online material. The Hill Library also offers membership programs and fee-based research services.
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Q. Does the Hill Library provide in-depth research services?
A. Yes. The Hill Library's fee-based research and document delivery service can step in when you don’t have the time or resources to conduct your own research.
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Q. What are the Hill Library's policies regarding fair use and copyright?
A. The James J. Hill Reference Library cannot give legal advice or offer opinions on what is permitted or prohibited. For the convenience of our clients, we have created Copyright Guidelines, which outline some common concerns. For further, authoritative information on copyright, please refer to Title 17 of the United States Code.
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Q. Is the James J. Hill Reference Library's physical structure historically significant?
A. Yes. It is included in the National Register of Historic Places and considered one of the best examples of Beaux Arts architecture in Minnesota.
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Q. Can I find information on James J. Hill at the Hill Library?
A. Yes, you can learn more about James J. Hill at the Hill Library.
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