By Hannah on September 30, 2025
Welcome back to another edition of Tales From the Co-Op! If you missed last month's post, you can take a look at our August exchanges before jumping in.
Enjoy this behind the scenes look at chat transcripts from Springshare's 24/7 Global Chat Cooperative – an exciting way to assist patrons at any hour of the day!
The Chat Co-Op is a flexible solution to meet patrons where they are – even if where they are is on your website...at midnight. By joining the Co-Op, your library gains access to a network of experienced librarians around the globe, ready to meet users' needs. And the best part? Patrons love this service!
Being able to make a human connection and receive help at the time of need is invaluable – and becoming pretty rare. One library user recently commented, "The librarian was helpful, cheerful, and kind. She gave me the tools I needed to complete my paper."
In this series we showcase real-life chat transcripts, with all personal details removed and pseudonyms assigned to each participant for privacy.
Curious Queries
In this exchange, a wide array of free online resources were shared, leaving the patron with a great starting point for pursuing a new career! 🖥️
February 19, 2025 | 3:04 pm
Lando Librarian: How can I help you tonight?
Peter Patron: Can you please help me with English websites to learn English grammar and spelling?
Lando Librarian: Okay, so you're looking for websites that will help you to learn English, particularly grammar and spelling...let me start by seeing what resources your library has.
Peter Patron: Yes, please websites that are free
Lando Librarian: What is your home library system?
Peter Patron: I don’t have library card yet
Lando Librarian: That is OK. Please give me a moment to do some looking.
Lando Librarian: This article is a bit old (2020) but it comes from the librarians at the New York Public Library: Free Websites to Practice English at Home | The New York Public Library
Peter Patron: Thank you so much. This is great
Lando Librarian: You may be able to use the free version of a tool like Duolingo.
Lando Librarian: Duolingo has a free and a paid version, and I personally use it for learning Spanish.
Lando Librarian: It's not as targeted on grammar or spelling however.
Lando Librarian: For grammar take a look at this page (some of the sites are not free however): 8 best sites to learn English grammar
Lando Librarian: Please also have a look at these sites suggested by the University of Wisconsin.: Interactive Websites for Learning - ESL/ELL Education - Research Guides at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Peter Patron: WOW, thank you so much
Peter Patron: May I ask you please where did you find such good websites?
Lando Librarian: Yes, sure. I'm using Google search primarily. I'm sorting through the results looking for .org & .edu sites.
Lando Librarian: Here's the first Google search I used: best free websites for learning english as a second language - Google Search
Lando Librarian: I searched using those words: best free websites for learning English as a second language.
Peter Patron: Thank you so much
Lando Librarian: English as a second language or ESL is frequently used as a description.
Lando Librarian: You might also try English Language Learning or Learners.
Lando Librarian: These days, many "free" sites will only have a limited free component, however. The BBC sites are supposed to be quite good.
Peter Patron: I am trying to get in banks for work and my math is really bad. Can you please help me find basic math websites?
Lando Librarian: I think the best website for math on the open internet is Khan Academy. Math | Khan Academy
Lando Librarian: It's free, but it is in English.
Lando Librarian: This one is interesting too: Study math for free - Mathplanet
Lando Librarian: Very basic math for free here: Free Math Tutorials at GCFGlobal
Peter Patron: Oh, wow that is great website. Thank you so much you’re so kind
Lando Librarian: And another from the BBC. What we in the US call arithmetic is called "maths" in the UK:" Maths for adults - BBC Teach
Lando Librarian: Here's the Google search I started with: basic math skills for adults free - Google Search
Peter Patron: Wow Thank you so much for all of your help
Lando Librarian: You are welcome. Is there anything else I can do for you?
Peter Patron: This was it, thank you again!
Lando Librarian: You're welcome! Have a nice rest of your evening.
Spotlight on Librarian Excellence
A great librarian knows how to answer a user's question AND empower them to continue researching on their own! This exchange highlights the importance of being approachable, even in a virtual setting.
July 7, 2025 | 5:44 pm
Pierce Patron: Hi... I think this is a silly question, but here it goes... I'm searching the library catalog with search terms, and I don't know how to know which databases it's pulling from... for example, should I also go directly to JSTOR, Google Scholar, etc. with the same search strings, or does my library catalog contain that?
Lilah Librarian: Definitely NOT a silly question! I'll have a look at the search to see if I can help you figure this out...Back in a moment
Lilah Librarian: Ok, I tried out a few searches in your library's system...
Lilah Librarian: You should be able to see which databases are being searched when you get your article results back - let's use this link as an example *Link removed for privacy*
Lilah Librarian: If you look in the left column under Source, it will list which databases are searched (& how many results came from each)
Pierce Patron: Ok so let me open this link in a new tab
Pierce Patron: OH! interesting! I've literally never noticed that before. Thank you so much 😊
Pierce Patron: And that's the main search base? You didn’t click on database or articles, but just the main search box on the main page?
Lilah Librarian: Yes, the results I sent above are from the main search.
Lilah Librarian: As for your question about whether it's better to search a single database vs. the library's OneSearch, I think the answer is: it depends
Lilah Librarian: I like to start out with the OneSearch when I'm not really sure of *where* the info might appear - when I'm just getting started
Pierce Patron: Oh, I see, and then click on articles. Cool, thanks Lilah!
Lilah Librarian: Right - you got it!
Pierce Patron: Have a great day and thank you so much!
Lilah Librarian: Happy to help! Best of luck with your research & do come back if you have more questions!
FAQ-tastic Interactions
Setting up a knowledgebase in LibAnswers FAQs is an excellent way to ensure Co-Op librarians can answer institution-specific questions with accuracy!
July 15, 2025 | 7:41 pm
Priyanka Patron: I need to access the Bloomberg terminal for an economics research project. Is there a way for me to access this virtually or will I need to go to the business school? If I cannot access this virtually, is there some other resource you recommend that has comprehensive market data dating back to 1948? I appreciate your help.
Luca Librarian: Hello! I see you're looking to get access to Bloomberg terminal. Is that a database? I can look into that for you
Priyanka Patron: What I'm interested in is the Bloomberg terminal which I believe is a proprietary software that allows access to comprehensive financial data.
Priyanka Patron: I am not sure if my school provides access to that or not. If they do, I'd love to know how to access it.
Luca Librarian: It looks like this FAQ *Link removed for privacy* answers both parts of your question.
Luca Librarian: They have some physical terminals available, but no virtual access. They do recommend some alternatives and have a business research guide linked through that FAQ
Priyanka Patron: Yes, that answers my question. Thank you very much
Luca Librarian: You're very welcome, Priyanka!
Contact us for more information about the 24/7 Global Chat Cooperative so you can get started offering round-the-clock support today!