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Reference Desk Chat
Steps for setting up chat
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Choose “Implement chat widget” and add the code to the web site where you wish the chat widget to appear, i.e. where users will be able to start a chat with you
Once the code is added, it will display in one of two ways on the screen:
an inactive (grayed out) “Chat with reference desk” button - when there are no chat operators available for accepting conversations
an empty box ready for patrons to start chatting - when there are operators available for accepting conversations
Still in the Admin Panel, under the “Chat” tab, use the “Manage chat operators” section to add library staff to the list of operators.
NOTE: chat operators are location-based which means that you can have a different chat widget for each of your locations and you can add different chat operators for different locations. If you have several chat widgets set up and you wish to add one chat operator to all of the locations, you must click “+ALL” button by the chat operator.
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For chat operators
How do I respond to chat conversations?
You must:
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Navigate to “Chat” tab
Open “Respond to conversations” section and keep it open
If there will be patrons willing to talk to you, you will see them in the list with green icon, if not, the list will be empty
PLEASE NOTE: this page must always be kept open to receive incoming chat conversations!
For patrons
What browsers does the chat work on?
The chat should work on all browsers, but it has been tested in particular on Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8 and 9, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari - and it has been working successfully.
General