The Mississippi State University Libraries now offer an online chat service for students and faculty. The service directly links users to a reference librarian who will answer users’ questions and assist in students’ research.
“It’s a chat service like AOL or ICQ that allows students and faculty to login to a chat session and actually chat with a librarian. [Users] can ask questions about projects they are working on and get information for their projects without actually having to come to the library,” Stephen Cunetto, administrator of systems for the library, said.
Funding is relatively inexpensive since it is an up-and-coming subscriber-based Web service. Cunetto said the cost for the service is $514 annually, but as the service grows, the cost for membership will increase.
Those who speak with a librarian online may not be speaking with an MSU librarian. “[Users] will actually be chatting with a librarian that may be from Mississippi State or from another institution. It’s a joint partnership with 13 other libraries across the country.” Cunetto said.
The demand for the chat system is moderate at the moment because students aren’t aware of the new service, he added.
Frances Coleman, dean of libraries, explained how the service could be useful to students and faculty and why the libraries decided to take part in the service.
“We feel like this is a way to expand the services of the library. Since it is an online chat service, I think it’s more convenient to the students, and it really provides more resources. Since we don’t have all of the resources that students need, we are continuing to seek ways we can join consortia across the region and nation that will be helpful to our students and teachers.”
To access the chat service, students can visit the Mississippi State University Libraries Web site at www.library.msstate.edu, find the maroon bar located on the left side of the screen and click the Ask-A-Librarian option. Once accessed, users will be given four options, including chat and e-mail options.
The service is free and available from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit the library’s Web site or contact the library at 325-8542.