Text Only

Catalog (URSUS)

Search the Catalog Search by Keyword Search by Title Search by Author Search by Subject
 

 Ask-a-Librarian's Policy

           (Adapted from UMFK pages for “Blake Library’s Ask-A-Librarian Services”) 

Mission:  

Our primary objective is to help users find information and gain basic skills in using our online catalog, indexes, and databases. 

What it is:  

UMPI Library’s Electronic Reference Services allow both university and community patrons to obtain help from a librarian in either a live mode or an email mode. 

Live mode: This service is similar to a chat session which allows a patron and Librarian to talk live. Live mode is especially helpful to patrons who wish to get instruction on how to use a service and only have one telephone line. We are able to instruct the patron while he/she is still connected to the Internet.

Days and Times:    

    Summer Schedule:

• Tuesday 10am - 11am
   

• Wednesday 2pm - 3pm
   

• By an appointment. Call 768-9602 or email fischer@umpi.maine.edu

Email mode: This service allows patrons to send us their question via email. The patron will generally receive a reply within one business day. If the patron does not receive a reply, this usually means we did not receive the email. This  service is helpful to patrons when the live mode is unavailable or the question requires research.  Our reply may initially acknowledge only the receipt of your email, with the full answer coming later.

Who can use the service:  

Both the live and email modes of our Electronic Reference Services are available to the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s students, faculty, and staff, as well as to the local community and UMPI’s distance learners. All others may be referred to their local library (or to a specialized library) if we find we are unable to answer their question.

What kinds of questions we answer:  

The types of questions best handled in Live Mode are as follows:  ready reference (quick research and answer), and instruction in the use of our online catalog, indexes, and databases.  For Reference questions that take a longer time to research than we can provide during a chat session, we will either send an answer through email, or ask you to come into the library.  If you are outside the local area, we might suggest you go to your local library for help.

Examples of the types of questions we cannot answer, but for which we may be able to provide a source:

• Medical or legal advice
   

• Product evaluations, appraisals, etc.   
   

• Contest or wager questions          

Terms and conditions: 

We request that you read the applicable rules and policies pertaining to our Live and Email modes of electronic reference service.  By using these services we understand that you have read the applicable rules and policies, and have agreed to their terms.

Rules pertaining to the questions submitted to our services:  

1.  We reserve the right to refuse to answer questions.

2.  We may refuse services to you if we determine you are not using these services in the way they were meant to be used. For example, we will refuse to answer questions that are illegal, harassing, libelous, threatening, harmful, or obscene, as well as questions that violate local, state, national, or international laws or regulations.

3.  You agree that your question will enter the public domain, and you will retain no ownership rights to your question [your question will, however, remain confidential].  

Privacy: 

All reference transactions are confidential.  Please be assured this information will not be shared, sold, etc., outside UMPI Library.  For statistical purposes we may keep track of the questions, and of the number of users, but we will not retain specific information about the users.  Transcripts may be kept for a period of time to help us evaluate our service and with collection development. 

What our services do NOT provide:  

1.  We do not handle Interlibrary loan or reserve materials from this service. We can answer questions about these services, or you can call the circulation department at 768-9595.

2.  We do not renew materials for you from this service. We may show you how to renew your materials online, or you may call our circulation department.

3. We do not offer copying or printing services from a distance. You must come into the library to get these services.

Evaluation 

There is an evaluation form located on the Ask-a-Librarian site. Your comments will be useful in improving E-Reference service, though patrons are not obligated to fill an evaluation. We thank you in advance for your feedback.