Chat! Ask a Librarian & Ask the IRC

Ask a Librarian Chat
Need help with library resources?
Struggling with OneSearch and library databases?

AU Librarians are available online Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to help navigate library resources and information. We have been helping users access databases and e-books from off campus, conduct literature searches, and understand how (and when) library materials will be due.

Where to access chat
Ask a librarian chat widgets are embedded on a number of our web pages and Library Guides. We recommend these pages for quick access:

➤ AU Library home page
➤ AU Library Online (LibGuide)
➤ AU Library Faculty Resources (LibGuide)

Ask the IRC chat
The Instructional Resource Center's chat service is supporting general library chat services and is available Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You will find us:

➤ Instructional Resource Center home page
➤ Questions? Ask the IRC information page
➤ Children's Literature Genres (LibGuide)
➤ Children's Literature Topics (LibGuide)

Chat widgets will open automatically on these page when a librarian is online. Start a chat if you need help; close the widget if you don't. Remember, classes are online and so are we.

IRC Spotlight: Ask the IRC Chat

Have you used Questions? Ask the IRC?

Our chat service is staffed by the curriculum librarian and Instructional Resource Center student workers. We can help with general information and questions about the IRC, collections, juvenile books, equipment, and hours.

Did you know you could text the IRC?
Text the IRC at 419.938.4134, standard messaging rates will apply.

IRC text questions will be answered during regular Ask the IRC hours. Text inquiries sent after scheduled hours will be answered the following business day.

The IRC and AU Library share a text number. Non-IRC related text questions may be referred to circulation or reference staff as needed.


Phone icon by Madebyoliver from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

Questions? Ask the IRC

Have you used Questions? Ask the IRC?

Our chat service is staffed by the curriculum librarian and Instructional Resource Center student workers. We can help with general information and questions about the IRC, collections, juvenile books, equipment, and hours.

Did you know you could text the IRC?
Text the IRC at 419.938.4134, standard messaging rates will apply.

IRC text questions will be answered during regular Ask the IRC hours. Text inquiries sent after scheduled hours will be answered the following business day.

The IRC and AU Library share a text number. Non-IRC related text questions may be referred to circulation or reference staff as needed.

Phone icon by Madebyoliver from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

Questions? Ask the IRC Chat

Have you used Questions? Ask the IRC? 

Our chat service is staffed by the curriculum librarian and Instructional Resource Center student workers. We can help with general information and questions about the IRC, collections, juvenile books, equipment, and hours.

Did you know you could text the IRC?
Text the IRC at 419.938.4134, standard messaging rates will apply.

IRC text questions will be answered during regular Ask the IRC hours. Text inquiries sent after scheduled hours will be answered the following business day.

The IRC and AU Library share a text number. Non-IRC related text questions may be referred to circulation or reference staff as needed.

Phone icon by Madebyoliver from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

Questions? Ask the IRC

Have you used Questions? Ask the IRC?  Our chat service is staffed by the curriculum librarian and Instructional Resource Center student workers. We can help with general information and questions about the IRC, collections, juvenile books, equipment, and hours.

Did you know you could text the IRC?
Text the IRC at 419.938.4134, standard messaging rates will apply.

IRC text questions will be answered during regular Ask the IRC hours. Text inquiries sent after scheduled hours will be answered the following business day.

The IRC and AU Library share a text number. Non-IRC related text questions may be referred to circulation or reference staff as needed.

Phone icon by Madebyoliver from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

Questions? Ask the IRC

Have you used the Instructional Resource Center chat service, Questions? Ask the IRC? Our chat service is staffed by the curriculum librarian and Instructional Resource Center student workers. We can help with general information and questions about the IRC, collections, juvenile books, equipment, and hours.

Did you know you could text the IRC?
Text the IRC at 419.938.4134, standard messaging rates will apply.

IRC text questions will be answered during regular Ask the IRC hours. Text inquiries sent after scheduled hours will be answered the following business day.

The IRC and AU Library share a text number. Non-IRC related text questions may be referred to circulation or reference staff as needed.

Phone icon by Madebyoliver from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

Questions? Ask the IRC

Have you used the Instructional Resource Center chat service, Questions? Ask the IRC? Our chat service is staffed by the curriculum librarian and Instructional Resource Center student workers. We can help with general information and questions about the IRC, collections, juvenile books, equipment, and hours.

Did you know you could text the IRC?
Text the IRC at 419.938.4134, standard messaging rates will apply.

IRC text questions will be answered during regular Ask the IRC hours. Text inquiries sent after scheduled hours will be answered the following business day.

The IRC and AU Library share a text number. Non-IRC related text questions may be referred to circulation or reference staff as needed.

Phone icon by Madebyoliver from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

Questions? Ask the IRC

Have you used the Instructional Resource Center chat service, Questions? Ask the IRC?  Our chat service is staffed by the curriculum librarian and Instructional Resource Center student workers. We can help with general information and questions about the IRC, collections, juvenile books, equipment, and hours.

Chat hours for Spring 2016
Monday - Thursday: 10 am to 10 pm
Sunday: 2 pm to 6 pm

Where can I chat?  Ask the IRC chat widgets are available on the IRC main page, as well as on the IRC Services and Pricing and IRC Chat policy pages.  You will also find chat widgets on the IRC FAQs page and several IRC Course LibGuides. How does it work? Easy as 1, 2, 3. 1. Visit one of the pages with a chat widget, click to open chat box, or - 2. Wait. The chat widget will open in 30 seconds. Choose to chat now or click no thanks to close the box. 3. Enter your name, type in a question, and start chat.

But wait ... there's more! Chat will work on your mobile device

Visit the IRC Chat policy page for more information about question types, acceptable use of the chat service, and availability of chat transcripts sent via email.

*Questions? Ask the IRC originally posted 2/29/16

Questions? Ask the IRC

It's baaaaack! Chat is returning to the Instructional Resource Center as Questions? Ask the IRC.  In addition to locating quick answers about the IRC using our searchable IRC FAQs page, you will now be able to ask questions live. Ask the IRC chat is staffed by the curriculum librarian and Instructional Resource Center student workers.

Chat hours for Spring 2016
Monday - Thursday: 10 am to 10 pm
Sunday: 2 pm to 6 pm


Why chat? Sometimes you have questions while working online in your dorm, somewhere on campus, or even off campus. Chat provides opportunity to connect with the IRC quickly and easily while remaining at your current location.

What Questions? Ask the IRC can help with basic questions, such as general information about the IRC, collections, juvenile books, equipment, and hours.

Where can I chat?  Ask the IRC chat widgets are available on the IRC main page, as well as on the IRC Services and Pricing and IRC Chat policy pages.  You will also find chat widgets on the IRC FAQs page and several IRC Course LibGuides. How does it work? Easy as 1, 2, 3. 1. Visit one of the pages with a chat widget, click to open chat box, or - 2. Wait. The chat widget will open in 30 seconds. Choose to chat now or click no thanks to close the box. 3. Enter your name, type in a question, and start chat.

But wait ... there's more! Chat will also work on your mobile device

Take time to visit the IRC Chat policy page. It details information about question types, acceptable use of the chat service, and availability of chat transcripts sent via email.