Live Virtual Reference Services

If your library provides live virtual reference service, you can use the service to communicate with a reference librarian online. Virtual reference procedures may vary, depending on the service provider your library uses and your library's policies. Your library may require a patron barcode number and password to use the virtual reference feature. After the session, your library may provide a transcript of your online interaction with the reference librarian. You can view the transcript by accessing your patron account.

Important:
If you have concerns about your privacy as a library patron, contact the library for specific information about the library's privacy policies.

Objective: Submit a live online reference question

Follow these steps to contact a reference librarian online.

1. Click the Reference Librarian link at the bottom of most Polaris PowerPAC pages.
2. If Polaris requests your barcode number (library account number) and password, type the barcode and password in the appropriate boxes, and click Log In to submit the information.

Note:
Your library may allow you to use virtual reference as a guest, without logging in. If the log-in page includes a Guest button, you can click Guest to go straight to the reference provider's Web page, and follow the instructions on the page. When you use virtual reference services as a guest, no record is saved in your patron account.

The question form is displayed.

3. Type your question in the question window.

Note:
To erase the text you typed, click Reset.

4. Click Go LIVE.

   The reference service site opens, where you can view the answer to your question and submit any other questions to the reference librarian at the site.

5. Follow the instructions at the reference service site.
6. Click X to close the reference service site and return to Polaris PowerPAC.

Important:
Protect your privacy. If you see in the menu bar, you are logged in. Be sure to click before you leave the computer.

Objective: View your reference sessions

If the virtual reference service and the branch listed in the Currently logged into box provide this function, and you logged in to use live reference services, you can view a list of the reference questions you have submitted. A detailed transcript of any question and answer session may also be available. Follow these steps to view the record of your live virtual reference sessions.

1. Click Patron Account, and log in if necessary.

   The My Record page is displayed.

2. Click Virtual Reference in the Patron Account submenu.

   The virtual reference history is displayed.

3. If you want to view the detailed transcript of a question, click the date of the question in the Date column.

   The detailed transcript is displayed in a new window. It lists your questions and the reference librarian's answers, and may contain links to further information.

4. To close the transcript window, click X.
5. Click My Record in the Patron Account submenu to go to the patron account (My Record) display, or click Log Out to quit working with patron account information and protect your account privacy.