A new instant messaging interface has become in use in the Cerritos College library.

Meebo, a new media and communications company, has targeted and manifested itself in Cerritos as its new means of web-based communication source.

Full-time librarian Val Mitchell said, “It is a new way that students and librarians can communicate with one another.”

Students are now able to communicate with a librarian in an instant messaging-manner.

With Meebo, students can log onto the Cerritos College library website and speak to a librarian while online.

Just like instant messaging, any student can type in a question or concern he may have, and a librarian will respond.

Though he might not receive an immediate response, whichever librarian is available will respond as soon as he can.

“I’m just learning how to do it, but it’s fairly easy,” said part-time librarian Anne Head.

Despite the short amount of time that she has had experience with Meebo, Head feels it is a great means of communications with students.

“It is a great way to keep in contact with students,” she said. “It is also a much faster and beneficial way to respond and attend to their concerns.”

Prior to Meebo, the college used “Ask a Librarian” which was pretty much the same thing.

However, it discontinued its use after it became a fee-based service that required an account user to volunteer a minimum of six hours per week.

Cerritos College has only been using Meebo for a couple of weeks, it seems to be very successful.

Mitchell stated, “We just begun to use it this semester, but so far it has been a fast and easy way to go about in providing help to students.”

Students are always welcomed to come to the library and personally ask for help, she added.

“It is much easier and faster for students to use meebo though,” said Head.

Many students were not even aware that Meebo was accessible through the library.

Antony Gomez, criminal justice major, said, “I use it with my friends but I didn’t know I could use it with the library. I’m glad that now I know. I could just check for book availability from my house instead of having to come all the way to school.”

Students may post questions through Meebo during and only during library hours.

Therefore, this service is available Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.