Ask Chat with a Librarian

Summer term 1: May 3 – June 30, 2021

• Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 7 pm
• Friday: 10 am – 5 pm
• Saturday: 12 – 5 pm
• Sunday: 12 – 5 pm
• SERVICE CLOSURES: Friday May 21: Presidential holiday  |  Monday May 24: Victoria Day

Summer term 2: July 5 – August 13, 2021

• Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 6 pm
• Friday: 10 am – 4 pm
• Weekends: CLOSED
• SERVICE CLOSURES: Thursday July 1: Canada Day  |  Friday July 2: Presidential holiday  |  Saturday July 3  |  Sunday July 4 |  Monday August 2: Civic Holiday

What students are saying about Ask Chat with a Librarian

"The service was friendly and efficient and I got more help than I expected. Very good service!" (June 12, 2021)

"This service has always been helpful, but particularly so during COVID with the libraries being closed." (June 8, 2021)

[The operator] did a great job. She referred me to the librarian for my faculty as the information was very specific and she felt they would be able to assist me better. She provided the links to reach out to these librarian and told me their availability for next week. [The operator] was awesome. Thanks! (June 4, 2021)

"[The chat operator] was very helpful, and quick! I could not be more pleased with this service. Thank you." (May 5, 2020) 

"Online chat was my only option to get an answer to my query and everything worked out perfectly. This service is an absolute must, pandemic or not! Thanks so much."   (April 5, 2020)

"I love this chat. It's great, especially when campus is closed or if you can't make it to campus. 10/10 I'll definitely use it again ..." (April 4, 2020)

The online chat feature at the @uoftlibraries has saved me so many times! Thank you for this feature and for the great support and service!

— Fady Shanouda (@FadyShanouda) 12 May 2017

The #askalibrarian service from @uoftlibraries is really fab and I didn't rely on librarians nearly enough in my undergrad. They're great.

— Chloe Shantz-Hilkes (@chloeshantz) September 17, 2014

"I recently completed the "Ask a Librarian" online chat sessions with two librarians [...]. I would just like to pass on the message that both were phenomenal in helping me and answering my questions. They explained everything and gave me lots of details, tips and information [...] Also, I want to convey my support and appreciation for the Chat service. It is absolutely essential and has helped me numerous times. Thank you."
-3rd year social work graduate student

Sample chat

Privacy policy

Scholars Portal is a service of the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL). OCUL is a consortium of 21 academic libraries in the province of Ontario and acts under the authority of the Council of Ontario Universities.

In order to begin a chat session, Ask a Librarian users must indicate their university affiliation and level of study. This information is used to ensure that Ask a Librarian staff are providing the best possible research assistance. While staff may request your email address during a chat session in order to follow-up on a research request, you are never obligated to provide it.

OCUL, the University of Toronto, and all Ask a Librarian staff respect your privacy. User data can only be accessed by Scholars Portal staff and by designated administrators from participating libraries. Information provided while using the service is collected primarily for statistical reporting to the OCUL board of directors, funding agencies, and your local institution. Data collected through the service may also be used for research purposes, but privacy and anonymity of users will be ensured. Personal information that you provide in order to use Scholars Portal services will be protected in accordance with FIPPA, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. We will not disclose any personal data we collect from you to any party in a manner that would identify you, except to fulfill your service request or where required by law.