Zoho Chat: Another Way to get Answers

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

Library Database Trials

If you've visited the library's webpage in the last few weeks, you might have noticed a new link dead-center on the site.  Under the "Databases" tab on www.library.coe.edu, there is a new link to direct users to databases with which we currently have trial access.  Every once and a while, different publishers will allow the library and our users to test out new databases in order to evaluate them and decide if they might be a good addition to our collection.  At any given time, we might have 1-3 trials running, though sometimes we may have more; other times, no trials at all.  Here at the library, we wanted our patrons to be able to find and use these products (what kind of test can you have without users?) while at the same time making sure that they knew that these databases were not necessarily permanent additions.  It would be rough to get used to using a database only to have the access mysteriously disappear mid-semester.  To meet this need, we thought it most appropriate to create a new page that explicitly stated that these were trials.  We also describe the databases, along with the timeline for the trial.  We hope that people will be able to use these databases and the resources therein, and we also hope that users will give us feedback.  Find a database that you like a lot?  Email the library at khandler@coe.edu and let us know what you think.  If you want to be anonymous, you can always drop a note in the library's virtual suggestion box.

We can't promise that we always add new databases, as unfortunately we can't subscribe to everything that we want.  What we can promise is that we'll use your feedback to help us figure out how best to expand our collection, and in the mean time, you'll have access to some great new databases.  Give them a try today!

Issue with JSTOR & PDFs while using Firefox

Hi folks.  The library staff was alerted to a problem that users were encountering when trying to open PDFs while using Firefox to search in the database JSTOR.  After looking into the technical aspects on the college's end, here's the update that was recently posted by JSTOR Technical Support that we wanted to share with the Coe community:

"With the release of Firefox 23 on August 16, users began to experience problems downloading JSTOR PDFs through the built-in PDF viewer in Firefox. The viewer does not display our PDFs optimally, which may result in slow loading times or download errors. Users report that downloading a PDF through the viewer results in an error message that the file is corrupted or damaged, which prevents users from opening or using the file.

We are aware of this issue and our technical team is currently investigating this problem. We intend to use this page to update users on this issue, and we appreciate your patience as we work to solve this problem as quickly as possible.

As a workaround, we recommend one of two options. You could try a different browser, such as Internet Explorer or Google Chrome. If this is not an option, open the PDF as you normally would. Then, right click anywhere on the page and select "Save Page As...". This will allow you to save the PDF to your computer and should allow for a faster, more successful download. You can then open the file with another PDF viewer (such as Adobe) and use the print controls to print the article.

We are very sorry for the inconvenience this issue may cause. Any questions you may have can be directed to JSTOR Support."

So, in this case, it's not us, it's them.  If you are in JSTOR and experiencing problems, please to refer to the workarounds listed above while doing your research.  Apologies for the inconvenience, here's hoping that JSTOR gets things figured out soon!

-Katelyn, Head of Reference

Using the library's resources over break

Although Spring Break is a time for relaxation, fun, and volunteer opportunities for many students at Coe, some students may find that they still need to do some work on their coursework in order to stay caught up and get things turned in on time.  If you find yourself in that situation, just remember that the library makes many of its databases and ebooks accessible from off campus for student and faculty use.  The important thing is that in order to use the library's resources from anywhere other than Coe, you must log in through My.Coe, and from there you must access the database or ebook that you want through the Campus Life tab.  You can't go through the library's webpage directly as we have to verify that you are in fact affiliated with Coe.   Not sure if you're doing it correctly? Here is a link with a video that will let you see the whole process from start to completion. Encounter problems? Just email Katelyn Wazny or Harlene Hansen in the reference department the nature of your access problem, and we'll try and get it resolved for you.

Related to database access, the library will be doing some upgrades to our systems internally on March 5, so be prepared for possibly spotty access to library resources that day. Thanks everyone, good luck on your upcoming midterms and have an awesome spring break!

-Katelyn, Head of Reference

Problems with EBSCO

Yesterday the library received a heads up that some students were having trouble accessing EBSCO from off-campus.  Computing services has been doing some work updating the proxy server that the campus uses to authenticate off-campus users, and that might be causing the issue.  We're working on resolving the problem, but in the mean time, remember that users should be able to access ALL of the library databases via the library website as long as they are on campus (this includes the new apartments across the street.)  If you are on campus, you never have to go through My.Coe to access the databases, you need simply to go the library's webpage.  Also, if you ever do have issues accessing any of the databases from off-campus, please let the library staff know so we can take care of it!  Good luck with your finals!

-Katelyn, Head of Reference

New Chat Service

What's this, you say?  Say "Hello" to the library's new chat widget, Zoho.  The library staff evaluated several different chat options over the course of the summer in our efforts to replace Meebo, purchased by Google and taken offline.  Zoho was the winner, which you can now find on webpages throughout the library's website.

What has changed from Meebo?  In some ways, not a great deal.  You'll still be able to use Zoho much like you would have used our chat functionality previously.  It's web-based, so you need not install any software.  It's anonymous as well. However, one major change is that when you click on box to ask a question, a new, separate window will pop up. meaning you need not few losing your original question and text when navigating pages.

If you notice any bugs with Zoho, please do let us know, either via the comments sections here, or drop us a line by email.  We are always looking for ways to improve our website and better serve the Coe Community, so if there's things you think that we should know about your chat experience, we want to hear them.  Thanks, and welcome back to Coe!  We're glad you're here and can't wait to get another year underway.

Katelyn, Head of Reference

Where's Meebo?

If you pay a visit to the library website in coming weeks, you're going to notice one major change.  Our friendly little Meebo chat box is gone.  As a library, we really like being able to offer a chat feature to our users, so why would we get rid of such a useful tool?  Short answer: because we had to .

At the beginning of June, word hit the web that Google was buying Meebo.  Here's an article on the purchase if you're interested.  Google more likely than not purchased Meebo to use a chat feature within their social network, Google Plus.  This means that they decided to shut down Meebo as a free web application that could be embedded in a variety of websites.  So, over the last month and a half, the library staff has been evaluating a variety of replacement options.  There are quite a few things to consider, including the ability to remain anonymous while asking a question, so don't be surprised if you see us try out one or two different chat features as we figure out what works best for the patrons here at Stewart Memorial Library.  If you run into any problems using web chat, please let us know, and please also feel free to email myself, or other members of the library staff if you have a question that needs addressing.  Or, you can always drop by the reference department to get your questions answered in person as well.  Thanks for your patience as we make this transition, and I hope that you are having a great summer!

-Katelyn, Head of Reference

HELP…where’s a librarian when you need one?

You are taking advantage of the library’s evening hours (we are open until 1:00 am Sunday through Thursday) to finish up a paper due at 8:00 the next morning. Alas, you have run into a snag and there isn’t a librarian in sight. What can you do?

There are a few resources on the library website designed to help students when a librarian isn’t at hand. You can start on the Help page (it’s the last option in the left hand menu of the Library website). From here you can find answers to ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ such as “Does the library have a scanner?”, “Is there anywhere I can practice my power point presentation?”, and “Where are the current journals?”.

Need a little more help than that? On the library main page there is a tab in the middle section titled ‘Research Help’. If you roll over it you get a list of helpful links including ‘Citation Help’, ‘Evaluating Resources', and ‘Search Tips'. You can also check out the ‘Class Resources’ page on Fisher Music Library’s website (a link to the Fisher Music Library is in the top menu of the library website).

If your paper is due later in the day you can send an e-mail to a librarian (contact information for the librarian of your choice is on the Staff page), or leave a message in the instant message box. If you are really on top of things, and have a few days before your paper is due, you can schedule an appointment with the reference librarian to get individual help.  Last, if you see someone sitting at the reference desk (located in the back on the first floor of the library) you are welcome to ask any questions you have, research related or not.

Library Common Hour, 2/24/2011

This Friday, several members of the library's staff will be presenting as part of Friday's Common Hour here at Coe from 3-4(ish) in Stuart Hall 205.  Speaking at the common hour:

• Laura Riskedahl, AV Librarian


• Hongbo Xie, Tech Services Librarian


• Harlene Hansen, Reference Assistant


• Katelyn Wazny, Head of Reference


• Jill Jack, Library Director

The presentation will consist of small segments covering tips and tricks for some of the college's many databases, along with taking the opportunity to highlight some new offerings from the library as well. A question and answer session, moderated by Jill, will then follow, giving members of the Coe community a chance to ask about any aspect of the library they have been wondering about as of late.  The library's staff would really love the chance to get some feedback from a variety of members of the campus, while also having the chance to teach folks how to research more effectively.  We also think we'll be showing off some ways to use the databases that people might not realize are possible.  Top that all off with the fact that refreshments will be served, and you've got a pretty good Friday afternoon ahead of you.  If you have time, please come on Friday, and the library staff will do our best impress you!

From the Archives...

If you need a quick break from studying, check out the digital exhibits on the archive website.  You can watch old Coe Advancement films, listen to Coe songs, see what the campus looked like in the 1930s, and read about student life (did you know you had to have a permission slip from your parents to attend dances in 1913?).  There are also flunk day posters, the Cosmos from 1890-2008, and George T. Henry photographs. ~Sara

New Library Webpage!

Speaking of Stewart Memorial Library website (which I just did, in my last post,) what do everyone think of the new site?  While the center of the page remains essentially unchanged, visitors will find a few new additions that I think will make the site much more user friendly, not to mention the sleek new color palette.  I might be partial though, due to the browns matching my sleek bronze physique.  One of the changes that I really like is the menu bar down at the bottom of the page, which makes it very obvious as to where to find a map of the library, a suggestion box (*cough*bring back donuts on Wednesdays *cough*), and a link to the library's staff information.  Also, the page now features a help section that has FAQs that the library hears on a regular basis.  We will add questions as they come up, so don't be afraid to ask.  We do understand that since the page has undergone some changes, everything might not be working perfectly.  Find a broken link?  Database access not working?  Just let the staff know!  And when I say staff, just go ahead and email Katelyn, the head of the reference department at kwazny@coe.edu.  That's probably the easiest way to ensure that things get fixed.  We hope that this site is generally an improvement upon previous iterations, and we believe that the changes that we made are positive ones.  We know that faculty and staff alike are going to be using the library's resources far more regularly as finals rapidly approach, and we think that the new site is going to make it easier for everyone to get what they need.

-Bronze Boy

P.S.  The snow yesterday has me thinking its almost time to break out my most stylish fedora.  If only I had a stylish fedora.