FAQs about Ask Us
- How does Ask Us work?
- Who can use Ask Us?
- When can I use Ask Us?
- What is Instant Messaging and how does it work?
- Where can I get instant messaging software?
- What is a Screen Name (Buddy Name)?
- Can I chat with other Claremont Colleges librarians?
- When will librarianchat be available to chat with me?
- Is information from my chat and email sessions confidential?
How does Ask Us work?
You can contact us any time you have a research or library-related question. You choose how you want to contact us: online with chat, by email, by phone, or in person.
Who can use Ask Us?
Instant Messaging and Email Reference are services for current students, faculty, and staff of The Claremont Colleges. If you are not a current student, faculty or staff of The Claremont Colleges, we can help you if your question concerns a resource that is unique to the Libraries. You may contact us in-person or by phone.
When can I use Ask Us?
Use Ask Us whenever you have a research or library-related question. You can send an email question any time and you will usually get an answer within 24 hours. Chat, telephone, and in-person assistance are available all hours the Libraries are open from reference and information staff.
What is Instant Messaging and how does it work?
Instant Messaging (IM) is a form of electronic communication that uses software such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo! Messenger, or MSN Messenger to exchange text-based messages in real-time. To contact us, send a message from your IM software to the Libraries using our Screen Name (Buddy Name): librarianchat Note: the user ID (Passport) for MSN is librarianchat@hotmail.com.
Where can I get instant messaging software?
The Libraries of The Claremont Colleges Instant Messaging service supports the following freely available applications:
What is a Screen Name (Buddy Name)?
A screen name is a name that you choose to identify yourself online when instant messaging with others. You will need to establish a screen name with either AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, or MSN Messenger before logging in and chatting with a librarian. Once you have a screen name, you can set up what is called a buddy list - a list of other users' screen names. When you log into your IM account, you will be able to see which of your buddies are currently online and available to chat. By adding the Libraries' screen name (librarianchat) to your buddy list, you will have quick access to chat live with a librarian and get help with your research.
Can I chat with other Claremont Colleges librarians?
You can also chat with other librarians from the Libraries of The Claremont Colleges when they are online:
- Ask the sciences:
- Yahoo! = jezmynne
- MSN = jezmynne
- AOL/AIM = bad8sslibrarian
- ICQ = 390498831
- Ask the humanities:
- Yahoo! = gale91711
- AOL/AIM = gale91711
When will librarianchat be available to chat with me?
The easiest way to see whether staff are available to chat is to add librarianchat to your buddy list and see whether we are online. Instant Messaging assistance is normally staffed during all hours the Libraries are open.
Even when we're online for instant messaging, staff may be away from the computer assisting someone else. Be patient. We'll be back! During hours when the Instant Message chat service is not available, please use the Email Reference Service or one of the other Ask Us services.
Is information from my chat and email sessions confidential?
The library may save your email or the transcript of your chat session, which will be used for educational and research purposes only. We will make every effort to protect your privacy. Any information you provide will remain confidential and only library staff will have access to it.