Chat with a Reference Librarian

Earlham Librarians are happy to offer assistance to students, faculty and staff of Earlham College via instant messaging (IM).

You can add us to your buddy list, or just use the "widget" to the right to chat with us right here, right now.

Screen Names:
EarlhamLibrarian (AIM and Yahoo! Messenger)
EarlhamLibrarian@hotmail.com (MSN Messenger)
Earlham.Librarian (Google Talk)

We expect someone to be available for instant messaging whenever the reference desk is staffed. To see if we are online, put us on your buddy list or check the status message in the widget.

Indiviual librarians may also be availble to chat. Use the screen names and chat widgets below to message individuals.

Have any questions? Check our list of Frequently Asked Questions and responses.

 

Neal Baker
Humanities and Languages Librarian
(765) 983-1355baker
EarlhamNeal (AIM)
Earlham_Neal (Yahoo) Earlham_Neal@hotmail.com (MSN)
Earlham.Neal (Google Talk)

 

Amy Bryant
Information Technology Librarian
(765) 983-1302bryant


 

 


EarlhamAmy (AIM)
Earlham_Amy (Yahoo) Earlham_Amy@hotmail.com (MSN)
Earlham.Amy (Google Talk)

 

Tom Kirk
Library Director and Coordinator of Information Services
(765) 983-1360kirk

EarlhamTom (AIM)
Earlham_Tom (Yahoo) Earlham_Tom@hotmail.com (MSN)
Earlham.Tom (Google Talk)

Christine Larson
Reference and Religion Librarian
(765) 983-1408larson

EarlhamChristine (AIM)
Earlham_Christine (Yahoo) Earlham_Christine@hotmail.com (MSN)
Earlham.Christine (Google Talk)

 

Sara Penhale
Science Librarian, Wildman Library
(765) 983-1612penhale

EarlhamSara (AIM)
Earlham_Sara (Yahoo) EarlhamSara@hotmail.com (MSN)
Earlham.Sara (Google Talk)

 

Nancy Taylor
Head of Reference
(765) 983-1290riggs

EarlhamNancy (AIM)
Earlham_Nancy (Yahoo) Earlham_Nancy@hotmail.com (MSN)
Earlham.Nancy(Google Talk)

 

Janet Wagner
Technical Services and Reference Librarian
(765) 983-1269riggs

EarlhamJanet (AIM)
Earlham_Janet (Yahoo) Earlham_Janet@hotmail.com (MSN)
Earlham.Janet (Google Talk)

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Chatting with a Librarian

How do I chat with a librarian?

Since you are already on this web page, the easiest way is to use the widget above (assuming we are online right now).

To use your AIM, Yahoo!, MSN or Google IM program, open a new message, enter our buddy name in the To: field, and start typing your message. Or, just add our username to your buddy list, double-click on the buddy name to open an IM window, then type your message. We have the following usernames:
EarlhamLibrarian (AIM and Yahoo! Messenger)
EarlhamLibrarian@hotmail.com (MSN Messenger)
Earlham.Librarian (Google Talk)

I don't use Instant Messenger. How do I get started?

You don't need to have an IM client to use the chat widget above. Just start typing in the in the space where it says "type here."

If you would prefer to use a program on your own computer, you can download AIM from their site. Fill out a quick, easy Web form, choose a screen name, and start using IM in 1-2 minutes.

What if I am in a computer lab, or don't want to download AIM?

Use another version of AIM called AIM Express. With AIM Express, you can create a screen name and chat directly from the Web with no downloads and no software installations.

What if I use Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, or Google Talk?

No problem.You can IM the librarian through any of these services. Just use the librarian account associated with that service.

Yahoo! Messenger -- earlhamlibrarian
MSN Messenger -- earlhamlibrarian@hotmail.com
Google Talk -- earlham.librarian

You can also IM individual librarians by using the account names located under their photographs above

Will I need to wait to chat with the librarian?

IM questions are taken in a first-come-first-served order. You may need to wait if the reference librarian is already helping someone in person, on the phone, or in another IM chat session. Of course, you can always call us at 765-973-2106, or email any of us.

I'm not affiliated with Earlham. Will you answer my questions via IM?

Due to the nature of IM service, we regret that we must restrict usage to Earlham College students, faculty, and staff. Community users are welcome to call the reference desk at 765-973-2106, or visit the library in person (directions). Those with questions about our Friends Collection, College Archives, or geneology may wish to contact our archivist.

How do I know who I'll talk to? Can I talk to a specific librarian?

The EarlhamLibrarian account is operated by different librarians at different times; you'll likely get the librarian currently working the reference desk. If you would like to chat with a specific librarian, we also have our own personal screen names. Feel free to try contacting any of us using the screen names under our photos, or through the personal Meebo chat boxes above.

Contact Information

Lilly Library (general information)
(765) 983-1287 phone
(765) 983-1304 fax

Circulation
(765) 983-1287

Reserves
(765) 983-1287

Interlibrary Loan
(765) 983-1848

Reference
(765) 973-2106

Wildman Science Library
(765) 983-1245

College Archives and Friends Collection
(765) 983-1511

 

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