Issue Date: 1/19/10
Librarians' minds a click away with Web program
By Jessica Walls
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According to Palomar Librarian Laurie Hope, it is convenient for students who prefer being at home when they study rather than in the library.
"They'll still have a reference librarian with them," Hope said.
It's not a well-known function, but students who have used it recommended it.
Mike Edwards, 23, a communications major at Palomar College, said he used Ask-A-Librarian when he was researching yellow journalism. The librarian told him to start in the library's catalog. Then they did a search that found four sources for him.
"It's pretty easy to use. It's the same information a student would get if they walked into the library and asked to talk to a librarian," Edwards said.
But other students say there are still some kinks to be worked out.
English major Hannah Shipps, 19, has been attending Palomar since 2006. She said that the first time she used Ask-A-Librarian, she asked a question that never got a response. When she tried again with a different question on another day, she said she got a response. The response that she received was helpful and given quickly. The librarian was friendly and explained things clearly.
Shipps said she cannot speak for all subjects and questions, but Ask-A-Librarian is a useful tool for research.
To get to Ask-A-Librarian, students can go to the Palomar Web site. Then under quick links (located in the upper right corner of the homepage), students will find the link for the library. When on the library's homepage look on the right hand side of the screen. There is a box titled Ask-A-Librarian where students can post their questions via online chat.
Unlike the library, the chat room is open 24/7; so students who are still studying at two in the morning will have access. Librarians from colleges across the country, not just from Palomar, man the site.
There are professional librarians, some whom are working from home, there to answer questions.Â
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