Author Archives: Gary Daught

Research Assistance From the Comfort of Your Computer!

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Did you know you can receive personalized research assistance from a librarian from the comfort of your computer? Although it has not been widely publicized, beginning in Fall Semester 2007, we posted a prominent link for accessing online research assistance on the Welcome Page of the Milligan College Library website.

“Ask A Librarian” button

Clicking on the “Ask a Librarian” button links you to a page where you have the option of either initiating a real-time chat session with a librarian, or leaving an email that will be replied to by the Reference Librarian within 24 hours.

Utilize the embedded instant messaging (IM) window to initiate a chat session. This nifty service is provided by meebo.com. No separate software is required. The status bar at the top of the chat window will indicate whether the service is on- (green balloon) or off-line (red balloon). You can remain anonymous, or you can highlight the “meeboguest” nickname and type-in your real name.

We are still working out a regular schedule for this service, but it is generally staffed by the Reference Librarian 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and by an evening Library staff member until 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

If our chat service is offline, you can scroll further down on the page and fill-out the web form. When you submit the form an email of your research question will be routed to the Reference Librarian, who will make every effort to reply within 24 hours.

We are providing this online service in an attempt to assist you in a timely manner, regardless of your location. (We imagine this service will be especially appreciated by our non-resident students in graduate and adult degree completion programs.) But please bear in mind that not all research questions are easily handled through chat or email. Your question may require more extensive interaction and resource searching. The Librarian assisting you may recommend that you setup an appointment for in-person research consult. We want to reach out and be where our users are. But we also love to have you visit us here…in the Library!

New Self-Checkout Station in the Library

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The Library is pleased to announce that you now have the option of checking-out your own books by using the new Self-Check Station located at the Circulation Counter.

Self-Check Station Click here to see larger image

All you need is your current Milligan ID card with you when you are ready to checkout your books. The procedure is fairly simple to follow:

  1. Use Self-Check for checking-out books only (no periodicals, DVDs, or other media).
  2. Wake Self-Check by moving the mouse.
  3. Scan the barcode on your Milligan ID card.
  4. Scan the barcode on each of your books.
  5. When you are finished scanning all your books click the “Finished” button.
  6. Take your receipt from the receipt printer. The receipt serves as your record of check-outs, and tells you when your books are due.*
  7. “Desensitize” each book using the metal device to the right of the receipt printer. Push book spine-side-down away from you (in the direction of the arrow) across the desensitizer. Alarm will sound if books are not desensitized!

Self-Check Station Demo Click here to see larger image

The Self-Check Station will not replace the presence of real humans to greet and assist you at the Circulation Counter. At this point, Self-Check is limited for checking-out books only. You will need to go through the regular check-out procedure if, for example, you have DVDs or Reserve materials to check-out. Also, you may not be able to use Self-Check if you have an issue with your patron account (e.g., overdue books, or billed items). Like the self-check aisle in the grocery store, the purpose of Self-Check is to add an element of choice, convenience, and user empowerment in accessing Library services. We hope you will give Self-Check a try, and then let us know what you think!

* We have been using receipt printers at the Circulation Counter since the beginning of the 2007 Fall Semester. This in itself is something of a technological advancement for the Library. Not only do receipt printers enable the use of Self-Check, they also eliminate the need for manual date-stamping of all checked-out items.