Welcome to LibChat!

Things You Need to Know | Hours | Guidelines | Feedback | Alternate Resources

Reference Services & Research Assistance

LibChat is a reference service that provides online, interactive assistance to Syracuse University students, faculty, and staff engaged in research activities from both on- and off-campus locations. The service is open to those who have questions about Syracuse University, the Library or its collections. LibChat is staffed by reference personnel from Syracuse University Library.

Things You Need to Know

The e-mail login field is a recommended field. The field is optional but we recommend using it to enable easy follow up after the chat transaction.

Javascript is required to use the LibChat online reference service. Please use a modern web browser with javascript enabled.

Turn off pop-up blockers. If you have a pop-up blocker, which is included the Google toolbar for Internet Explorer or built into the various Mozilla browsers, it may prevent us from sending web pages to you during your chat session, although the link will be present in the chat transcripts.

Hours of Service

There is no chat service during the Summer 2006 semester

Holiday and Intersession hours may vary. Hours subject to change without notice. When LibChat is unavailable, please call or visit a library reference desk or send a question by e-mail. If you need in-depth research assistance, visit the list of Library Subject Specialists for office hours, phone numbers and links to subject web pages.

DIPA/ISDP Students - Hours of Service

Students studying outside of Syracuse or those living abroad as part of the University's various international programs may find Libchat especially helpful. Libchat hours of service are linked to the Eastern time zone of the U.S. Remember to convert these to your local time zone (e.g., in London, Barcelona, Hong Kong, etc.) prior to logging in.

Guidelines

• Privacy protection is important to Syracuse University Library. LibChat reference service is hosted by a third party, QuestionPoint. Transcripts of LibChat sessions may be seen by staff at QuestionPoint, as well as by Syracuse University Library staff. If you have given permission, questions may be referred to experts at other institutions. We do not give, share, or sell your personal information. See our complete Privacy Statement for more details. Chat is also governed by the University's Computing and Electronic Communications Policy governing Electronic Communications.
  
  
• We reserve the right to refuse to answer questions we find offensive and inappropriate (profanity, racial epithets, etc.) and intrusive personal questions. Abusive, obscene, threatening or harassing messages will not be tolerated. We reserve the right to terminate inappropriately conducted chat sessions. See the Library's Use and Conduct policy for more information. See also QuestionPoint's Patron Terms and Conditions statement.
  
  
• The use of licensed materials, such as databases, electronic journals, and books, is restricted to current faculty, students, and staff of Syracuse University. See the Library's Policy on Access to Licensed Web Resources for more information.

Feedback

We'd like to hear your comments and suggestions about LibChat. Contact the LibChat Coordinator, Suzanne Warren (slwarren@syr.edu or 315-443-9524).