How it works
AskNow uses QuestionPoint software to let clients and librarians chat in real time. Using this software the librarian can send you online resources by:
- “pushing” webpages to clients
- “cobrowsing” (sharing a screen)
- sending an email transcript of a session, with web links
Depending on the time you try the service, you may be chatting to a librarian in any of our participating libraries.
To begin chatting, fill in the web form. Remember: once you have connected, stay online until a librarian joins the session. Sometimes it can be very busy so it may take a few minutes for a librarian to greet you. Please be patient, or try again later, we try to answer all enquiries as quickly as possible.
To submit a question, follow the steps detailed below:
- Type your name into the name box.
- Type in your email address so a transcript including URLs can be emailed to you after your session.
- Type your question in the text box.
- Click on 'Connect'.
- To end the session, click on 'Exit'
Don't see the chat pane on the right? Click here to try again.
Other tips
- Stay online
- During the session the librarian may send you web pages. These will appear in the left hand side of your screen. A URL for the site will appear in the chat transcript on the right.
- At the end of the session you will see a summary of the transcript, including links to the sites you were sent. You can continue looking for information by using these links. If you gave an email address you will also receive a copy of the transcript in your email.
- At the end of your chat session you will be sent a survey. Please complete this survey – it helps us to improve our services.
- Having problems? Contact us
