The Pollak Library is testing a pilot program called "IM'IN to the Library" this semester.
It is keeping up with demand better than Matthew Mallard, the coordinator of "IM'IN to the Library," had expected. With the help of "Meebo," students will be able reach the librarian's assistance without leaving their desktop.
"Meebo" is a Web messenger that allows the user to log in to all the instant message screen names from AIM, Yahoo, MSN, GTalk, ICQ and Jabber at the same time and chat for free without downloading or installing the instant messengers.
Whether at home or school, or while typing in the Pollak Library, by logging on to "Meebo.com," students will be able to chat with the Cal State Fullerton librarian and access their entire online instant messenger buddy list.
"We decided to go with 'Meebo' because it is open and easy to use," Mallard said.
"IM'IN to the Library" started on Jan. 22, but the system still has some quirks and technical difficulties.
Mallard said they are not yet sure whether it is possible to instant message from cell phones or not, but for those who have iPhones, it is easy to access through the "Meebo" widget.
A Web widget is a portable chunk of code that can be installed and executed within any separate HTML-based Web page by an end user without requiring additional compilation.
"Meebo" offers embeddable instant messager windows that can be dropped onto any Web page like MySpace or other blog sites. The "Meebo" widget allows people to chat with visitors from Web sites in real time without creating profiles or screen names.
The "Meebo" process is supposed to simplify students' queries in the library.
If a student adds "pollaklibrary" on MySpace, a "Meebo" instant messenger window can be found on the profile page. By typing questions into the "Meebo" box, the available librarian will respond to any questions.
"IM'IN" is only available during normal reference desk hours, but another way to instant message the library is to go to the library's main Web page and click on the "IM the librarian" button.
Users are not required to give their real names to chat.
"We are still trying to figure [out] ways to market 'IM'IN' better, but it has been successful so far itself without any advertisement," Librarian Will Breitbach said.
According to Mallard, the Pollak Library's "Question by Question" data tracking system shows students submitted 3.9 percent of library-related questions through Meebo/IM, and 4.5 percent through direct phone calls from Jan. 22 through Feb. 8.
Although these numbers cannot compare to the number of students who walk up to the reference desk (90.2 percent), "Question by Question" data has proven students are using Meebo/IM almost as much as the usage of the telephone.
It is the responsibility of all librarians at the reference desk to answer questions through Meebo/IM. If there are people at the reference desk who need the librarian's assistance, students asking questions in Meebo will have to wait until the librarian finishes with the walk-up queries first.
"I was helping a student last week through IM with a specific subject and I was able to help the student out in the end, and it felt really good when I got a response from the student. This is so cool," Librarian Mary Anne Lynn said.
If online users have any urgent questions for a librarian, they can chat with one 24 hours a day, seven days a week through "Live Chat 24/7." "Live Chat" is a live online reference chat system provided by Question Point.
Librarians from "Live Chat" are available throughout the country.
Although the system has its quirks, "Meebo" is creating a new way to access information from the library.
