What is Instant Messenger (IM)?
IM is a way of communicating over the Internet that allows two people to instantly type messages to one another and have a virtual conversation.
What do I need to do to IM a Librarian?
Simply click inside the IM box on the Ask a Librarian page and type your question! If you already have an IM account through AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, Gtalk, ICQ or Jabber we would love for you to add us to your buddy list.
To find us on your IM service, please search for the following username:
- ICQ: PPLDLibrarian
- AIM: PikesPeakLD
- Jabber: PPLDLibrarian@jabber.org
- Yahoo!: ppld.librarian
- MSN: eref@ppld.org
- Gtalk: PikesPeakLibraryDistrict
- Meebo: PPLDLibrarian
Will a librarian answer right away, or will I have to wait?
Please understand that even though a librarian's status is "available" on our IM service, that librarian may also be answering a telephone reference question or helping a patron that
is visiting the Library. Your IM question will be answered on a first-come first-served basis. If we do not answer right away, then we are probably helping another patron and we will
try to answer your question as soon as we are able.
Should I be concerned about giving my personal information such as my library card number to PPLD librarians on IM?
We do not publish personal information that is discussed in our sessions.
What kind of questions can I ask on IM a Librarian?
Appropriate questions should be factual or short research questions that can be quickly answered. Examples include:
- Do you have this book/CD/movie/etc?
- When did Iran become a country?
- Who invented the x-ray?
If your question takes longer than 1-2 minutes to find an answer, the librarian on IM might ask you to call our telephone reference service at 389-8968 or visit a PPLD Library facility.
