FAQs

When you click the chat button in OneSearch or EBSCOhost a pop up chat box appears and a librarian is alerted that you are waiting for help.

TIP: Be detailed in your initial question and double check your email address. If either you or the librarian believes you need more help the chat may be marked for follow-up; a detailed question allows us to provide a better answer. 

Once connected we can text chat or switch to zoom, whatever works better for you. A text chat will involve switching between your research window and the chat window; with zoom you or the librarian can share screens and talk through your research question. When the chat is over you will have the opportunity to rate, comment, request follow-up, and email yourself a transcript so you can keep anything you are still working on.

Drop-in hours don't work for your schedule? Please use this form to request a meeting, or email us at library@columbiabasin.edu. Please make your request as far in advance as possible; we'll need to receive it during our chat hours in order to schedule the appointment outside them.

Our best alternative to chat is zoom; our librarians can send you a zoom invitation directly as well as initiating the screen share in chat. If technological limitations make zoom difficult we can email you help and/or schedule a phone appointment.

What if I'm disconnected from chat? Please check your email the next day - we try to follow-up with anyone who doesn't seem to have been helped. You can also email us directly, as above.