What is Meebo?
Meebo is a chat service that allows people to communicate by typing back and forth, similar to an e-mail but with an intended immediate, live response. We will be piloting this live chat reference service in the coming months. This service will allow Empire State College library users to ask quick reference questions via online chat. There is no need for a username and password.

How do I use Meebo?
Go to:
http://www.esc.edu/askalibrarian
OR
while in a subject guide at:
http://www.esc.edu/subjectguides click a specific subject guide. On that subject guide's home page, under the librarian's photo, you will see a chat box.

Image of meebo chat box:


Once Meebo fully loads, you should see whether the librarian is online or offline in the Status Box. If offline, do not leave a message. Use the other contact methods listed at: http://www.esc.edu/askalibraian.

If the librarian is online, and there is a status message that reads Got a quick question?, click in the Nickname box, type your first and last name, then press enter. You may then type your question in the Text Entry box, then press enter. The librarian's greeting and your message should now appear in the Chat Coversation box. When the librarian responds, their text will be placed below whatever you typed last, in the Chat Conversation box. You may be given a link to click on in the Conversation box. You may click it and a new window will open allowing you to stay in coversation with the librarian while browsing in another window. Do not navigate from the chat page until you are done with your conversation.

If the Status Box shows that the librarian is in a meeting, you may still leave a message but it may be some time before your question gets a response. You may want to use other contact methods as noted above.

The Meebo chat widget can be used most effectively in the following ways:

1. To request specific information on your topic such as:
   • Where are the subject guides?
   • Where do I find E-books?
   • Where can I find journal articles?
2. When you're unsure what specific database to use or what subject or discipline it falls under.

• This is your first time visiting the library.
• You've never done research before.
• You have a broad research project and need to know where to start.
• It may be easier to communicate in e-mail form or on the phone.
• You have technical difficulty using this feature.

Ask a Librarian for more information, or contact a librarian via e-mail at librarian@esc.edu