After content and technical updates, the services of the University of Pécs Library and Knowledge Centre are once again available to readers, helping members of the University of Pécs in searching for academic literature, writing papers, and starting their research.
The “Ask a Librarian!” service is operated by the library’s reference team. Librarians working in the library spaces (who assist visitors with orientation, using the catalogue, accessing databases, and answering questions) are also available online. Registered users can ask simple, short questions via the Chat interface on the library’s website and receive answers within a few minutes. However, questions that cannot be answered so quickly, such as those related to starting research or compiling a bibliography for a thesis can be submitted through the “Ask a Librarian!” interface. Responses to these questions are provided within a few days by one of the reference librarians.
How and where can I ask my questions?
The “Ask a Librarian!” service can be found among the services on the library’s website, under the section “Using the Library On-site and Online,” where users can submit their questions.
Since the entire network of university libraries’ reference librarians participates in answering questions, users must first select which library they are contacting virtually.
After formulating the question clearly, additional clarifying information is required, such as where the user has already searched, which catalogue, and which databases have been used. This helps the librarian focus only on sources not yet explored and suggest resources the user may not have considered.
The purpose of the search is also an important detail, as the depth of information required differs for example, between a doctoral dissertation and a term paper or presentation. Since numerous library catalogues, open-access, and subscription databases are available in Hungarian and English, the reference librarian provides the most relevant results along with search tips.
Specifying the field of study, as well as subfields and related disciplines, also helps improve search accuracy. It is useful to indicate related areas so the librarian knows where else to search or what specific topic interests the user.
The currency of the requested literature is important in some disciplines such as medicine, health sciences, and most natural sciences, while in others, particularly in the social sciences, a broader time range may be acceptable.
The preferred language can also be specified. Academic literature may be requested in Hungarian or other languages.
After providing personal details, the question can be submitted. These details, including an email address, are necessary so that the subject librarian can contact the user if clarification or further discussion is needed to refine the search terms.
After submission, the user receives an automatic confirmation email from the library, followed shortly by a second email informing them that the processing of their request has begun.
Once the response is completed, the user is notified, and the subject librarian provides the answer.
The notification email also includes the name and email address of the subject librarian, allowing for further communication if needed for clarification, discussion of the response, or feedback on the service.
What kind of questions does the library expect, and how can it help through this platform?
When designing the service, the aim was to support students, doctoral candidates, lecturers, and researchers of the University of Pécs who are working on collecting academic literature for their papers and need assistance from the library. The library offers not only numerous databases and catalogues but also expert librarians who, thanks to their expertise and training, can find relevant sources more quickly and efficiently. The online interface facilitates this quick consultation and knowledge transfer, serving as an alternative when in-person assistance in the library is not available.
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