Welcome back to Coe for the spring semester (not that it feels much like springtime yet!) As people settle back into the routine of studying, attending class, and all the other parts of a normal day, we wanted to make sure that the campus community is aware of all the different way that they can get help with research and get questions answered. Although the reference desk staff is always willing to help, sometimes you're studying outside of the library and can't easily come ask a question; other times, you may just not feel like speaking to someone in person. Although emailing the reference staff (either Katelyn or Harlene) can come in handy, there might be times when you would like a more immediate answer. These situations are when Zoho comes in handy.
If you're unfamiliar with Zoho, it's a chat program that replaces Meebo, our previous chat widget embedded in the library's website. We had to replace Meebo after it was purchased Google; after much research and evaluation, Zoho was found to be the optimal replacement option. Zoho can be found on the library's main page, in essentially the same spot as Meebo; however, the main difference is that Zoho pops out into a new window in order to allow the user to send and receive messages. Other than that, it operates much the same way that Meebo did. Also, it's important that Zoho is only operating when the full-time staff is here (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-4:30 PM) and in the evening 8-10:30 PM Sunday-Wednesday. If you have any issues using Zoho, feel free to let us know, either via email or in the library's virtual suggestion box located on the website's main page. Zoho is just another way in which we hope to reach and help more of the Coe community, give it a try next time you have a question!
-Katelyn, Head of Reference
