Guide on the Side: BUAnswers Single-Page View

What is BUAnswers?

To the public, BUAnswers is a resource full of frequently asked questions (FAQs) they can search and access 24/7. It also is the main place we direct people to live chat with us. It can be accessed via our library website and in several other places - almost anywhere that says "Ask."

As an ICer, you'll use BUAnswers in 3 main ways.

Log into BUAnswers and follow along. To log in, click ASK tab on the website, then Login to LibApps link at the bottom of the page). Your login will be your Butler email address and a password that you have set up when you were hired.

After logging in, you will see the dashboard. The orange menu bar across the top can help you navigate.

#1 way you'll use BUAnswers: to enter your statistics (Ref. Analytics > Add Transaction).

#2 way you'll use BUAnswers: to log into chat (via the red button or the LibChat drop-down).

One of the most valuable ways that you'll use BUAnswers involves the FAQs.

We have hundreds of FAQs available to the public; however, we have a large number of FAQs that are private and available only to IC. You must be logged in to BUAnswers to see them. These FAQs deal with all aspects of IC's work and can be incredibly helpful when you need a quick refresher.

How do you get to these IC FAQs?

When you are logged in to BUAnswers, open a new internet Window and navigate to the main BUAnswers page (via the library website or bookmarked at the IC desk). You should now see a Groups drop-down list next to the search bar.

This main search box will allow you to search ALL FAQs, including the private IC ones.

You also can limit to a specific group, by selecting it from the group drop-down menu or using the Group filter on the results page.

Note: You can access FAQs from the dashboard when you are logged into BUAnswers (Answers > FAQ Entries).

However, we strongly suggest that you do not use this method when searching for an FAQ. Here are our reasons:

The search doesn't work in the same way and can keep you from finding the FAQ you need
It includes unpublished/unfinished FAQs
If you are trying to show a patron, you'll need to use the public interface (this view is admin only)

Try it out!

Navigate to the main page of BUAnswers (buanswer.butler.edu).

Make sure you remain logged in to BUAnswers. You may need to open another window and log into BUAnswers from there.

Make sure you can see InfoCommons in the Groups drop-down list.

Search for "color printing."

View a public FAQ and a private IC one (utilize the Groups limiter).

How can you tell the difference between a public BUAnswer FAQ and a private IC one?

The background color It says private in the url

The best part about our IC BUAnswers is that they continue to evolve and improve over time - because each ICer has the ability to edit them.

If you find an error or something that needs updating, fix it! Of course, be sure before you make the change.

You also can create new BUAnswers if you encounter a question that is not yet in the system.

Practice it: visit this private IC BUAnswer and follow the directions to get more familiar with the editing options.

Now that you understand what BUAnswers is and how we use it, we'd like for you to practice searching for FAQs.

So, make sure you are logged in and navigate back to the main page of BUAnswers.

Please take your time and thoroughly explore the questions and read the responses provided for each answer.

Does someone need to make an appointment in order to use something in Archives & Special Collections?

Yes, always required No, we don't make appointments Not required, but in some situations recommended

True or false: We check out laptop chargers.

True False

Would the library accept a gift of books from a former Butler professor?

Yes No Maybe

What rooms in Irwin Library have Panopto video abilities?

Great Books Room, 007, and 119 Great Books Room & 119 No rooms in Irwin Library have this capability

What statistics do you have to record at the desk?

Everything that is done should be tracked on LibStats We track everything but circulation transactions and public log ins. We only need to track the research questions we help with. We only need to track questions if they take more than 5 minutes of our time.

Can you extend the due date for a community borrower whose card is expired?

Yes No

What do you do if you find a broken link in WorldCat Discovery?

Fill out the online form Tell an IC staff person Contact IT

Who do you report all building maintenance issues to?

Administrative Specialist for the Library Maintenance Whichever staff member is present

Select the option that does NOT correctly capture the process of putting an item on hold.

A graduate student is driving from off campus to pick up a book we have here. She asked us to hold the item. We pull it from the shelf, put her name on a slip of paper, and place it on the holds shelf. A faculty member calls in and asks if we have a book available. It is currently checked out, but they still want it. We go into WMS, find the item, and place a hold on it for the patron. Dr. Bigelow calls and wants us to pull a DVD so he can show it the next day in class. We go and grab it off the shelf and place the hold in the system. We print the receipt, place it around the DVD, and leave it on the Holds shelf for him to pick up later.

If you find an ebook owned by a PALNI library in WorldCat Discovery, is there a way for you to access it from Butler?

No Yes

What does someone have to do to check out a print journal?

Get permission from their liaison librarian Nothing - they all already have barcodes and are ready to be checked out like regular books These items can never be checked out

What do you do when you can't find a book on the shelf?

Fill out a Missing Item form Write down the patron's name and the book name and post on Trello

What do you do when you realize an item is missing a piece / is broken?

Ask a staff member to create a note for the item Pull the item and place it on Amanda's desk

Which of the following captures our policy about equipment rental?

We ask faculty to go to CAT first, but if CAT is closed or out of items, we will loan them here. Faculty and staff must go to CAT to loan equipment

Can you use WebPrint from an iPad?

Yes No

Which of the following statements accurately shows how you would help a member of the public make a copy?

You can use the InfoCommons account for all public copying. You need to load the Copy Card if you are assisting with a large copy job. We have made all copying free of charge.

Please enter your name and email address to retrieve a copy of your completed quiz.

Your name:

Email address(es):

You can enter multiple email addresses separated by commas. If you are doing this for a class, you may need to enter your instructor's email address also.

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