FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LIBCHAT SERVICE

1. What is LIBCHATPUL?
2. What do I need to do to get started?
3. When is the LIBCHATPUL service available?
4. Who can use LIBCHATPUL?
5. What is the library's privacy policy?
6. What kinds of questions may I ask?
7. Where do I go to offer feedback on the service?
8. What can I do to get assistance if LIBCHATPUL is unavailable?
   

---

1. What is LIBCHATPUL?
   LIBCHATPUL is a chat service which offers real-time reference assistance using AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, or ICQ .
2. What do I need to do to get started?
   If you already have an account with AOL, Yahoo, MSN or instant messenger services, add our screenname LIBCHATPUL for Yahoo. [For MSN you may need to select the option of sending an email when you add LIBCHATPUL.]
   
   If you are new to instant messenging, you will need to register for an account and screenname and either download free software or use a web-based version.
   
   • AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) (or AIM Express, which requires no download)
     Add LIBCHATPUL to your Buddy List: Double click on LIBCHATPUL to send a message to reference staff.
   • Yahoo Messenger (or Yahoo Web Messenger, which requires no download)
     Add LIBCHATPUL to your Friend List; Double click on LIBCHATPUL to send a message to reference staff.
   • MSN Messenger (no web version available)
     Add LIBCHATPUL to your Contact List: Double click on LIBCHATPUL to send a message to reference staff.
     [For MSN you may need to select the option of sending an email when you add LIBCHATPUL.]
   • ICQ (no web version available)
     Add 217761456 to your Contact List: Double click on 217761456 to send a message to reference staff.
3. When is the LIBCHATPUL service available?
   You can expect a librarian to respond to the chat service from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Monday -Wednesday, 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. Thursday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, and 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Sunday. (If there is demand, we will increase the hours in the future.)
4. Who can use LIBCHATPUL?
   Our intended audience for this service is Princeton students, faculty and staff.
5. What is the library's privacy policy?
   LIBCHATPUL sessions will be saved for training purposes; however, identifying information about the user will be deleted.
6. What kinds of questions may I ask?
   The service is intended to offer brief reference assistance. Those seeking more extensive research assistance will be urged to make a research consultation appointment with a librarian.
7. Where do I go to offer feedback on the service?
   Please send feedback to coach@princeton.edu. A LIBCHATPUL Evaluation Form will be available soon. Your feedback will help us determine what hours the service will be available, and make any other adjustments that are necessary.
8. What can I do to get assistance if LIBCHATPUL is unavailable?
   The library can also answer your questions by email, phone or in person.

See Ask a Librarian for a full range of options.