Instructify

When I was in library school, professors talked about a widespread fear of librarians among the general populace. Library users have questions, my professors said, but in many cases are too afraid to ask them. Huh. I looked around at my fellow librarians-to-be, mystified. As a group, librarians are the least intimidating, most approachable people I know. We like comic books, cats, and vigorous games of four-square.

In any event, there’s no reason for burning research questions to go unanswered, stifled by librarian fear (or by the fact that it’s 4:00 a.m. and there’s not a library open this side of Fiji.) Chat services from a growing number of libraries are available 24/7, and this article from studenthacks.org will help you find them. The list also includes libraries that offer quick research help via email. Timely help from a librarian can make all the difference in your students’ research – or in your own.

And, as the studenthackers note, “you never need to visit a library to talk with them.” I hope a few brave souls still will. -EMILY JACK

Where to Find a Librarian 24/7 via studenthacks.org