Welcome back to another edition of Tales From the Co-Op! If you missed our last post, catch up with the July Exchanges before diving in.
The LibAnswers 24/7 Global Chat Cooperative keeps your library's virtual doors open at all hours. With MLS-degreed librarians providing support around the clock, patrons always have someone ready to lend a hand – whether it's late at night, on a busy afternoon, or during a holiday closure.
By joining the Co-Op, your library ensures seamless, stress-free support for your patrons. One patron recently commented, "The librarian was fast and answered my question perfectly!"
In this series, we love to share real interactions that highlight the impact of the Chat Co-Op. As always, personal details are removed to protect privacy, and everyone gets a fun alias too!
This chat highlights some of the interesting questions our Co-Op librarians receive on a daily basis. Every patron has unique needs when it comes to accessing materials, and librarians do an amazing job of guiding and supporting them to find exactly what they need.
Pippa Patron: Where can I go to find a generic dictionary definition for Baroque art? I'm using the databases but I have never had to use a dictionary or encyclopedia before, and I'm having trouble finding it.
Lola Librarian: Hi, Pippa! Let me check your library for an online art dictionary.
Lola Librarian: Or are you in the library? Would print be better?
Pippa Patron: No I'm at home right now. But I have my schools databases pulled up, I just can't seem to find where a dictionary would be.
Lola Librarian: This one might work: The pocket universal principles of art : 100 key concepts for understanding, analyzing, and practicing art*
Lola Librarian: Here is a list of online art dictionaries available at your library: *Link removed for privacy*
Pippa Patron: Oh my gosh, that's awesome! Thank you so much!! I appreciate you 🙂
Lola Librarian: Thanks for coming by tonight. Come back anytime, we're here 24/7.
Pippa Patron: That's awesome. This is my first time using this and it's a great resource.
Lola Librarian: Good luck with your assignment!
*Link removed for privacy
Librarians provide incredible reference support every day, and this includes our Co-Op librarians! Take a look at this chat for an example of some of that great librarian work.
Pacey Patron: I need to find an article on anxiety but it needs to be a quantitative study on teens.
Liv Librarian: Hi there! I can help you, where have you been searching so far? Or are you more at the beginning?
Pacey Patron: At the beginning stage. Haven't searched anything yet, not sure what to type in or what database to use.
Liv Librarian: Ok. Do you also need info about how to know if something is quantitative or qualitative?
Pacey Patron: Yes please.
Liv Librarian: Is this for human development or community psychology? Or what general subject?
Pacey Patron: I'm an MFT student and this is for my research methods and critical analysis class.
Liv Librarian: Ok great. Here is an MFT research guide, please open it in a new window: *Link removed for privacy*
Liv Librarian: So right on that page, do you see PsycINFO? Please click on it.
Pacey Patron: Yes. Ok, I did.
Liv Librarian: In the search box, type in exactly this:
Liv Librarian: anxiety AND teen* AND quantitative
Liv Librarian: And please let me know what comes up.
Pacey Patron: 43 results came up.
Liv Librarian: Oh hmm, that is not many.
Liv Librarian: Ok, back on the search screen, do you see a bunch of boxes underneath the search box? Like this: *Screenshot removed for privacy*
Pacey Patron: Oh, yes!
Liv Librarian: Ok great. Find the methodology one, and then you can check "quantitative" under there.
Liv Librarian: Then in the search boxes, put adolescents in one box and anxiety in the next box.
Pacey Patron: Ok I did all that and it looks like it gave me a lot of results!
Pacey Patron: I appreciate it, thank you so much!
Liv Librarian: Ok cool, do you think you can take it from here?
Pacey Patron: Yes, thank you so much!
This interaction is an excellent example of how Co-Op librarians across the world can use LibAnswers FAQs to streamline chat convos and provide consistent service, chat after chat!
Pepe Patron: Hi! Do I still have access to Turnitin? Or is there another site I can use to confirm the uniqueness of my paper?
Laurie Librarian: Hi! I can see what I can find.
Laurie Librarian: When is your paper due?
Pepe Patron: It is actually for my dissertation. I am hoping to turn it in by the end of the month.
Laurie Librarian: Do students have access to Turnitin?*
Laurie Librarian: Is that FAQ helpful?
Pepe Patron: Yes, thank you!
Laurie Librarian: Great! Can I help you with anything else?
Pepe Patron: No thank you!
*Link removed for privacy
Contact us for more information about the 24/7 Global Chat Cooperative so you can get started offering round-the-clock support today!