ASK-A-LIBRARIAN

To IM with a reference librarian at the Beeghly Library using another service:

AIM: beeghlyrefdesk

Yahoo: beeghly_reference

MSN: refdesk@owu.edu

Gtalk: referendesk@gmail.com

Hours of Availability

Monday - Thursday: 11:00 - 5:00 PM, 7:00 - 10:00 PM

Friday: 11:00 - 5:00 PM

Saturday: 1:00 - 5:00 PM during last six Saturdays of a semester

Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00 PM (except on Sunday following Thanksgiving and Spring breaks), 7:00 - 10:00 PM

IM FAQs

Q: How do I chat with my IM account?

A: AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, and GoogleTalk users:

1. Add our screen name to your contact list
2. Open a chat window and type your question
3. A librarian will respond shortly. If we're unavailable or don't respond, please try back later or ask your question in person, by Web, email (refdesk@owu.edu), or telephone (740-368-3242).

Q: I don't use IM. How can I get started?

A: New users can get started by signing up for a screen name and downloading software from AIM, Beeghly Ref (Meebo.com), Google Talk, MSN, or Yahoo. Or one can use Meebo.com which lets you sign up and chat on several networks without additional software.

If you would rather not sign up for an IM account, just use the handy box at the top of this page to chat without a personal account.

Q: When are librarians online?

A: This is a pilot service during which our hours may vary. We are generally online when the Reference Desk is open (see our hours). If we're unavailable via IM, contact us by phone or email.

Q: What kinds of questions do you answer?

A: Try us! Here are some of the questions we've answered in the past:

* How do I cite a government report in APA style?
* Is the Library open to the general public?
* Is there a problem with Lexis-Nexis? It keeps telling me I need a username and password.
* Do we have the 1989 volume of Microvascular Research?
* I'm looking for information on the history of APNs in New Zealand.

Q: Anything else I should know?
A: Glad you asked:

* In-person requests receive priority over phone and electronic requests.
* Requests of equal priority are answered in the order they arrive.
* This is a service for Ohio Wesleyan University students, staff and faculty. You may be asked for proof of affiliation such as your OWU email address.
* IM is for brief communications, generally under ten minutes. For inquiries requiring more time, librarians may ask that a session be continued by phone, email, or in person.

E-mail Reference Service Directions

Q: Who may use this service?
A: This service is intended for OWU students, faculty, and staff.

Q: Who will answer my question?
A: A reference librarian will answer your question.

Q: What kinds of questions can one ask?
A: Any question normally asked at the Reference Desk, including...

• Where should I start my research on...?
• I have looked...Where else should I look?
• I need an address for...?
• I need help connecting to the library's catalog
• I have difficulty accessing...(a particular online service)
• How do I write a bibliographic citation?

We will not:

• Find, copy, and deliver articles.
• Do initial checking on CONSORT or OhioLINK.

We will provide information about interlibrary loan and CONSORT/OhioLINK online borrowing.

Q: When will my question be answered?

A: A librarian will respond within 48 hours. Please remember that reference coverage is not as complete on weekends as during the week.

Chat with a Librarian

Q: Who can use Chat with a Librarian?

A: Students, staff and faculty who are affiliated with OhioLINK member institutions can use this service. If you are off-campus, you will be asked to authenticate by providing your name and bar code number (number at bottom of ID card beginning 216 . . . ) before entering the service. If you have problems authenticating, please contact the reference desk at 740-368-3242 or by email at refdesk@owu.edu.

Q: What is the Chat Reference service?

A: ChatRef service allows you to ask a librarian a question in real time. A word of caution: librarians at most OhioLINK libraries provide assistance for this service. Do not be surprised if you get a librarian from a college or university other than Ohio Wesleyan.

Q: What about technical difficulties?
A: If you experience any technical difficulties, or have other questions or comments, please email us at refdesk@owu.edu.