Library turns to AIM to assist students

By Jillian Yalung
The Collegian

Students who have AOL Instant Messenger might now be able to add a new buddy to their list.

Last Monday, the Henry Madden Library began a journey to communicate with Fresno State students on what many call “AIM.”

Officials working in the library believe this will eliminate the communication barrier with students while construction is being done to the premises.

Monica Fusich, reference librarian and the facilitator of this new Web page, hopes that the Henry Madden Library is on the right track to updating their systems to better serve the students.

“Younger people are using the Internet for communication,” Fusich said of the new AIM Web page, “so we are taking the step to meet with students instantly.”

Known on the AOL buddy list as “maddenlibrary,” librarians and student officials will be available to answer questions at the click of a button.

The messenger is available through the library’s homepage found on the Fresno State Web site.

“After entering the Henry Madden Library Web page,” explains Fusich, “you click on Ask the Librarian. AIM will pop-up and after you enter in your question, expect to receive a reply instantly.”

Though the instant messaging is available to the public as a whole, the officials at the library are hoping to narrow the communication down to students who are attending the university.

David Tyckoson, head of reference in the Henry Madden Library, is looking for student response to the new service.

“I hope that students will find it [AIM] on our webpage, use it and give us their feedback,” Tyckoson said.
Expect a survey to surface on the library’s Web page in the next couple of weeks.

The instant messaging will be available for the remainder of the semester.

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