1. What is IM?

2. What are the IM hours?

3. Who can use the IM service?

4. What kind of question is appropriate for IM?

5. Will my IM question be answered instantly?

6. Who will I be chatting with?

7. What if I can’t download my IM network to my computer?

8. What if I don’t have an IM network?

9. How do I get started with Instant Messaging?

10. I’ve never used IM before. How do I IM?

11. Are chat logs saved?

12. Are there security risks with IM?

13. What happened to the previous chat service?

1. What is IM? IM stands for Instant Messaging. This is a form of online communication allowing you to send messages to other people over the internet. This is done by registering with an IM network such as Windows Live, Yahoo!, GoogleTalk and AIM, or by simply typing a message into a free-standing chat box as we provide on our library webpage.

2. What are the IM hours? IM begins on the first day of classes. The IM hours are the same as our reference desk hours. As all of the various library reference desks are involved in the IM service, whenever any of the reference desks are open, IM will be available! Click here for Reference Desk Hours.

3. Who can use the IM service? Although our primary clients are University of Saskatchewan students, staff and faculty, we also accept questions from the public.

4. What kind of question is appropriate for IM? Any question related to the library or research is welcome through IM; however, quick answer questions are most appropriate. Feel free to ask any question though and we’ll help you out as best we can!

5. Will my IM question be answered instantly? We will try to get back to you ASAP; however, if we are busy or away from the desk for a short time, it may be possible that the message won’t be instantaneous. If this happens, try waiting a couple minutes, “nudging” us, or using one of the other contact options available on our Ask Us webpage.

6. Who will I be chatting with? Library staff from all the libraries on campus are involved with the IM service; therefore, the subject areas and knowledge are widespread. If we can’t answer your question we will be sure to refer you to the person that can!

7. What if I can’t download my IM network to my computer? If you are working from a location where you can’t download your IM network (Windows Live, Yahoo!, GoogleTalk, or AIM) onto your computer, you can use the chat box located on our webpage to ask a question.

8. What if I don’t have an IM network? If you don’t have an IM network at all you can simply use the chat box located on our webpage to ask a question.

9. How do I get started with Instant Messaging? You get started with IM by first downloading an IM network on your computer (Windows Live, Yahoo! Messenger, GoogleTalk, or AIM). Next you need to create a username/password identity to use while chatting. This is usually in the form of an e-mail address. Please see the appropriate IM network website for more information. Windows Live Messenger Yahoo! Messenger GoogleTalk AIM

10. I’ve never used IM before. How do I IM? Check out this article called Instant Messaging Etiquette.

11. Are chat logs saved? No. Clients are not added to the University Library’s buddy list and the chat logs are not saved. NOTE: While transcripts are not saved, they are cached for a short period of time. The cache is cleared on a daily basis.

12. Are there security risks with IM? Check out this article called Top 5 IM Security Risks and keep up-to date on IM security risks via the IMlogic Threat Center.

13. What happened to the previous chat service? The University of Saskatchewan Library decided to switch over from the previous chat service (Meebo) when the company was acquired by Google and it was announced that the service would be discontinued. The new chat service is operated using the LibraryH3lp real-time chat (http://libraryh3lp.com/).