Fast Facts: Chat with a Librarian

What is Chat with a Librarian?

Chat with a Librarian delivers online reference services to users no matter where they are located. The service is staffed by OhioLINK librarians who assist users through online chatting, real-time demonstration of searches and sending content to users for use at their workstation.

History

2001 – OhioLINK was awarded a Library Services and Technology Act grant to support the purchase of the chat software and hardware.

2002 – Chat with a Librarian debuted.

Access

Chat with a Librarian is available to students, faculty, staff and researchers at OhioLINK institutions.

Benefits

Chat with a Librarian provides free assistance to students, faculty and staff while they’re doing research and regardless of their location.
Chat with a Librarian provides real-time assistance from librarians to distance education students and others who can’t visit the physical library.
300 librarians from 42 libraries statewide staff the chat service, making it possible for libraries of all sizes to offer online assistance to their campuses.

Statistics

There were more than 9,712 chat sessions from September 2006 through August 2007.
Users from 81 OhioLINK libraries have used the service.
Chat with a Librarian is available 73 hours a week during the academic year, and 40 hours a week during the summer. A current schedule is available.
Of the people served, 32% were off campus, 41% were on campus but outside the library, and 27% were in the library.*
97% of Chat with a Librarian users are fully or partially satisfied.*

* Statistics are based on 3,580 replies to an online user survey distributed four times per year.

Last Update: September 18, 2007