Ask UT Dallas librarians questions by chat on utdallas.edu/library.
Through a new online service called Chat with a Librarian, library customers at UT Dallas can communicate with librarians in real time and get immediate responses.
The chat box is positioned in the lower right-hand corner of Eugene McDermott Library’s home page. From 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, librarians are available to answer questions. The service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
“We are very pleased to provide this new online chat,” said Dr. Ellen Safley, dean of McDermott Library. “This free service puts a world of information just a mouse click away.”
Dr. Ellen Safley
Previously, users could contact McDermott librarians at the reference desk or via email, phone, instant messenger or text. Librarians said the IM service wasn’t visible enough for maximum use. Chat with a Librarian allows users to leave a message after hours. The next time a librarian is on duty, he or she responds to that question.
Linda Snow, head of reference services and liaison to the School of Arts and Humanities, said some of the most popular questions involve how to reserve material, how to find information, how to use Interlibrary Loan and other library services.
“This service is so user-friendly,” Snow said. “It focuses on customer service and adapts easily for library questions.”
Snow said the librarians will continue tweaking the service to see what other customizations they can add for UT Dallas customers.