How can we let them know we’re here? Joe Dobbs Virtual Reference Coordinator

Where is your link to the service? Library homepage Distance education pages Library website’s template: second level pages, etc. Link within the courseware environment (Blackboard, etc.) If possible, other web pages at your institution Are there places you can add the service’s URL? Handouts – bookmarks, subject guides and other instructional materials

Press Release Sample release available via OFFCAMP pages Can be customized to meet the needs of your library Possible Uses School newspaper Library newsletter, web site (“Library News”), comment and bulletin boards Campus radio station (make it a PSA) Announcement in courseware environment (Blackboard, etc.)

New Chat-Based Service Can Bring a Librarian to Your Desktop (Insert Component Name) is pleased to announce a new chat-based reference service that makes getting help from a librarian even easier. This new service, Ask a UT System Librarian, enables students, faculty, and staff to chat with a librarian online. Librarians throughout the University of Texas System are now available to chat about locating, evaluating and using the information you need. A link to Ask a UT System Librarian can be found on participating University of Texas libraries’ web pages or at Chat reference is currently available Monday through Thursday, noon to 6:00 p.m. and on Fridays from noon until 4:00 p.m. The service is intended for current students, faculty and staff of University of Texas System schools. No special software is required to access the Ask a UT Librarian service. Since the service started in early September, librarians at six University of Texas schools have chatted with users about searching databases for articles, helped students researching from home locate books in their school’s online catalog, and provided guidance to distance education students about how to cite web sites in research papers. Students and staff have already overwhelmingly embraced this new service. As one student remarked, “This service is excellent. Now when I get confused while doing online research, I can get help from a librarian online without having to log-off my computer.” ### Sample Press Release:

Student Message A sample message has been prepared for those UT Components having the authority and desire to send a message to students, faculty, and staff. Possible Uses Student and faculty and listservs Remember the distance education students! Automated message in courseware

Can’t Make it to the Library – Ask Away! [Insert Component Name] is pleased to announce a new online service that can bring a librarian to your desktop. This new service, Ask a UT System Librarian, is a chat-based service connecting you to librarians located throughout the University of Texas System. Available Monday - Thursday from 12pm - 6pm and Friday from 12pm - 4pm, you can ask librarians questions about University of Texas System resources, the academic research process, and other related topics. Librarians can help you get the information you need by providing answers, research assistance, and referrals to other sources. Best of all, no special software is required, so why not try the service today by visiting the library’s web site at [Insert library URL] It’s almost like having a librarian built into your computer. Sample Student Message:

Poster QP provides a customizable poster. A sample will be available on OFFCAMP. Can be displayed Bulletin and comments boards Near library computers If possible, in other campus buildings (dorms, computer labs, student unions)

Bookmarks QP also provides a customizable bookmark. A customizable image will be available on OFFCAMP. Possible Uses Place at service desks – reference, circulation, ILL Add to your library’s tour and orientation handouts Place in books at check-out

Other Ideas Make sure your staff knows about the service Mention the service during instructional sessions and class visits Work with the faculty to integrate the service into their classrooms Add the url to your signature when responding to questions

Future Goals Increase the number of patrons served 20% by end of semester Increase the number of participating components Staff development * Virtual tours of each school’s web site * Peer coaching via librarian-to-librarian chat sessions