News

Understanding Live Chat

Our Ask a Librarian live chat service continues to be extremely popular. We're available 12-5pm Mondays to Fridays, and 12-2pm on Saturdays during term time, via the pop out window to the right of the Library Services website or our Ask a Librarian webpage. But please note the following:

• Our busiest time is usually when the service opens at 12pm
   
• There are real people at the end of a chat, usually two librarians working together to monitor both chat and emails to askalibrarian@worc.ac.uk. On Saturdays it will be one librarian. Sometimes we can have several chats on the go at once with multiple browser windows open. Please bear this in mind when chatting with us and when you open a chat. Ask a question with a bit of context and not just ‘x’ or ‘reference’
   
• For more complex queries such as support for literature searching, or advice on a whole reference list, email askalibrarian@worc.ac.uk with details about your research topic. The ‘back and forth’ nature of live chat lends itself well to quick queries but given the popularity of live chat, it is very difficult for us to give more complex enquiries as much thought and attention as we’d like. We replied to 99.6% of emails within 48 hours last year, excluding bank holidays, so you will get an answer.
   
• We can't explain your assignment brief, proofread, critically appraise articles, or check more than a sample of your references
   
• We can't give advice on essay-writing or other study skills. We recommend the University's study skills portal, and student support including the Centre for Academic English and Skills and writers-in-residence if this is what you need.

We strongly recommend developing your own referencing and search skills. Our Study Skills Live sessions are there to help you do this. See you there!