Getting Started
Before you ask your question, make sure you have tried our
resources. We have hand-picked numerous resources, on a number of subjects,
that contain reliable information.
To ask your question, click on the option for public or college library, and select
the appropriate institution. Enter your question in the form to the right of that
page and then click on the "Connect" button. Please include as much detail as possible
as you type in your question. This will help us give you a better answer!
After you have sent your question, a librarian will send you a welcome message,
and clarify your question if necessary. Chat messages from the librarian will appear
in the left frame of your browser. You may receive answers in the form of web pages.
These will appear in the right frame of your browser.
When you are finished or would like to end the session click on the "Exit" link.
When you or the librarian ends the session, you will see the full transcript of
your session including hyperlinks to Web pages that were sent to you during the
session. There will also be an option to email the transcript to yourself.
After your session has ended, you may also receive a quick survey asking if you
found the service helpful. Please feel free to take a moment to let us know what
you thought of Ask-WA.
Tips on Chat Communication
- Be informal, but courteous.
- Use short replies and hit the send button between sentences.
- Expect what might seem like delays. Some questions require the librarian to search
in several places to find exactly what you need.
- If you have to leave the computer, please politely let the librarian know: for example,
"Sorry, I have to go now - the computer lab is closing. Please email me whatever
you find at [your email address]. Thanks!"
Session Transcripts
If you entered an email address at login, a full transcript of your session, including
hyperlinks, will be emailed to you. If you entered an email address but do not see
your transcript, be sure to check your “junk email” folder to see if it got filtered
out.
If you didn't enter an email address, you will have another chance to do so as soon
as the session is ended. You will see the full session transcript and the option
to email the transcript to yourself.