Chat Reference Chat reference is up and running in Pollak Library! Chat reference is real time connection via computer between a remote user and a librarian. You can be at home, at the El Toro Campus, in the Titan Lab, or in the Pollak Library Reference computer area, and just click on a button and connect to a librarian during our hours of chat reference service. We are very excited about reaching distance students, the student who doesn’t want to lose computer space in a computer lab, the shy student, and those who just prefer the computer. The Council of Library Directors (COLD) sponsored a 2001 workshop for all CSU libraries to discuss online chat reference. As a result of recommendations from the planning committee, COLD is funding a pilot test of two major products: MCLS 24/7 and Convey. CSUF and two other schools are testing Convey. Convey is software that allows instant messenger interaction between patron and librarian as well as the added features of audio and video. The patron downloads the program which places a “persistent button” on the browser window any time the user is on a Library web page or a database page that we have designated. A user just clicks on the button to be connected to the librarian on duty. With everything in place, we now feel that it is time to start marketing this service. Look for an upcoming segment in Dateline. Try it out--tell your students. Our librarians are waiting for your call! Spring 2003 Chat Reference Hours: Monday – Thursday: 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm Rosemary McGill, Reference Coordinator