Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Who can use Ask a Librarian?
This service is intended primarily for current students, faculty and staff of UW-Madison. Anyone may use the service, but we can only provide limited assistance to those outside the campus community.
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IM/Chat: Are session transcripts saved?
Yes, transcripts are saved and used by UW-Madison librarians in order to improve our services to you.
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IM/Chat: For "Chat Now" service, why do you ask for my name and e-mail address?
We will email the transcript to you if you request it. We may also contact you later requesting feedback on the service you received.
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IM/Chat: What is IM and how does it work?
IM stands for "Instant Message," and refers to software like AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) which can be used to have a live conversation with a librarian. To contact us, add all four screen names to your buddy list. Send a message from your IM software to one of our screen names.
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IM/Chat: Google-Talk User?
For our library 'contacts' (below) to show up as active or online in your Quick Contacts, you must invite them to chat.
Contact names are followed by @gmail.com. Add all four screen names to your Quick Contact list:
askuwlibrary@gmail.com
askuwlibrary2@gmail.com
askuwlibrary3@gmail.com
askuwlibrary4@gmail.com -
IM/Chat: MSN User?
Screen names are followed by @hotmail.com. Add all four screen names to your buddy list:
askuwlibrary@hotmail.com
askuwlibrary2@hotmail.com
askuwlibrary3@hotmail.com
askuwlibrary4@hotmail.com -
IM/Chat: AIM, MSN, or Yahoo user but don't want to install client software?
Use Meebo.
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IM/Chat: Don't want to use IM?
Use our "Chat Now" service.
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IM/Chat: What are the Ask a Librarian IM/Chat Hours?
The core Ask a Librarian IM/Chat hours are:
During Summer 8 Week Session (June 16 - August 8):
Monday to Thursday: 8:30am-8pm
Friday: 8:30am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm
Note: Library staff may be available to take your questions at other times. Please check the Ask a Librarian page to determine if a librarian is available to chat.
During Summer Intersession (August 8 - September 1):
Monday to Friday: 8:30am-5pm
During Fall and Spring Semesters:
Monday to Thursday: 8am-12midnight
Friday: 8am-5pm
Sunday: 5:30pm-12midnight -
Phone: What are the Ask a Librarian Phone Hours?
The Ask a Librarian phone hours are:
During Fall and Spring Semesters:
24 hours a day / 5 days a week
Sunday at 10am through Friday at 11:45pm
Saturday: 10am to 11:45pm
Sunday: 10am to 11:45pm
Note: Hours may vary during breaks and holidays.