The Irving Public Library now offers live reference help online through instant messaging. The new tool provides patrons with an additional method to receive assistance and helps reduce lines at the reference desk.
Live Help is available from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Customers are able to chat online with a reference librarian who will help find answers to factual questions, guide customers through catalog and database searches, and help identify and search reliable, authoritative Web sites. Most Live Help sessions last 10–20 minutes.
Residents can access the software from both inside and outside of the library. After business hours, patrons can submit an e-mail to reference staff.
To initiate a chat, visit www.cityofirving.org/library. A library card number is required.
Live Help Tips:
- Avoid extreme abbreviations that may be common in text messaging.
- Thoroughly explain questions.Be patient.
- It may take a few minutes to find the best answer or resource.