Libraries are filled to capacity with resources.

But with the click of the mouse at CMU, students can receive assistance
from the Charles V. Park Library through an online service called “chat reference.”

Students can interact with a reference librarian through the library’s
“Ask a Librarian” page, www.lib.cmich.edu/forms/libref.htm, which is available
from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

“This service allows patrons to receive help from reference librarians
without having to visit the library,” said Michael Lorenzen, head of reference
services.

“Ask a Librarian” allows real chat time with a librarian. Through these
chats the librarian and students can browse Web sites together.

“(It is) a way to get advice on how to get started with research,” Lorenzen said.

Librarians can help students through their searches.

“We can browse together (and) show them while we explain it,” said Krista Graham, reference librarian.

Graham said she sees many advantages to this service.

“(The) main benefit is students get answers right away,” Graham said.

She said it helps direct students on how to do it themselves.

The service, provided through software vendor Tutor.com, has been available at CMU for three years.

There has not been a lot of use of this service yet, but Graham said they
have started to really market it and let students know the resources available
to them.

The library provides many other services to students as well.

“This isn’t replacing any of our other services … it’s just another option,” Graham said.

Another service students can take advantage of is e-mailing the library at libref@cmich.edu.

Questions are normally responded to within 24 hours during the week. On weekends, there may not be a response until Monday.

Students can also call for assistance or ask for help in person.

E-mail the author: Megan N. vonDaggenhausen