Article Summary
This guide explains how students, academic staff, researchers and public users can contact an E-Librarian through the FUOYE Digital Library platform.
1. What is the E-Librarian Service?
The E-Librarian Service is an online library support service within the FUOYE Digital Library. It allows users to request professional assistance from authorised library staff without needing to visit the physical library first.
- Searching the FUOYE Digital Library.
- Using the OPAC / library catalogue.
- Finding repository materials.
- Accessing Faculty-Based OER resources.
- Using the Global Library and Open Repository Gateway.
- Accessing subscribed databases.
- Uploading academic staff research publications.
- Understanding publication review status.
- Citation and referencing.
- Thesis and dissertation support.
- Research data support.
- Digital scholarship services.
- Reporting broken links.
- General library enquiries.
2. Who Can Contact an E-Librarian?
Students
Students may contact an E-Librarian for help with course materials, OER resources, research papers, textbooks, referencing support, database access and assignment-related library guidance.
Academic Staff
Academic staff may contact an E-Librarian for publication upload, repository records, metadata correction, Google Scholar/Scopus/ORCID links, OER submission and research visibility support.
Postgraduate Researchers
Postgraduate users may request help with literature search, theses and dissertations, research data, citation management, repository use and academic databases.
Public Visitors
Public visitors may request help with open-access materials, public repository records, global gateway links and general information about the FUOYE Digital Library.
Librarians and Administrators
Internal library staff may use the E-Librarian service to track support requests, respond to users, assign cases and manage online library support workflows.
3. When Should You Contact an E-Librarian?
- You cannot find a resource.
- A repository record is incomplete or unclear.
- A link is broken.
- You need help accessing OER materials.
- You need support using subscribed databases.
- You need guidance on uploading a research publication.
- Your publication submission was returned for correction.
- You need help with citation or referencing.
- You need support with literature search.
- You need help navigating the Digital Library.
- You need to report an access problem.
- You need guidance on open-access or copyright issues.
4. How to Contact an E-Librarian
- Open the FUOYE Digital Library homepage.
- Click Help, Ask an E-Librarian, Library Support or Contact E-Librarian.
- Select the most appropriate support category.
- Enter your name and contact details where required.
- Provide a clear description of your request.
- Attach a screenshot or document if the system allows it.
- Submit your request.
- Wait for a response from the E-Librarian or assigned library staff member.
5. Selecting the Correct Support Category
- General Library Enquiry
- OPAC / Catalogue Support
- Repository Support
- Academic Staff Publication Upload
- OER Support
- Global Gateway Support
- Subscribed Database Access
- Citation and Referencing
- Research Support
- Thesis and Dissertation Support
- Research Data Support
- Broken Link Report
- Account or Login Issue
- Accessibility Support
- Technical Support
6. Information to Include in Your Request
- Your full name.
- Your role, such as student, staff, researcher or public visitor.
- Your faculty and department, where applicable.
- Your matric number or staff number, where required.
- Your email address.
- The section of the platform where the issue occurred.
- The title or name of the resource involved.
- The link or URL, where available.
- A clear explanation of the problem.
- A screenshot, if available.
- The action you want the library to take.
7. Example Request Messages
Repository Support
“Good day. I am trying to access a repository item titled ‘Digital Library Adoption in Nigerian Universities,’ but the external full-paper link is not opening. Kindly assist or confirm whether there is another access link.”
OER Support
“Good day. I am a 200-level student in the Department of Computer Science. I cannot find the OER course pack for CSC 201. Kindly guide me on where to access it.”
Publication Upload Support
“Good day. I uploaded a journal article, but the status shows Returned for Correction. I need clarification on the comment about missing DOI and citation format.”
Database Access Support
“Good day. I am trying to access a subscribed database from the Digital Library, but it is requesting login credentials. Kindly advise how FUOYE users should access the database.”
8. What Happens After You Submit a Request?
- The system records your enquiry.
- You may receive a confirmation message or email.
- The request is routed to an E-Librarian or appropriate support officer.
- The support officer reviews your message.
- You may receive a response, request for clarification or resolution update.
- The case may be closed after the issue is resolved.
Some requests may require additional time if they involve external databases, repository metadata correction, copyright review or technical investigation.
9. Request Statuses
- Submitted: Your request has been received.
- Assigned: The request has been assigned to an E-Librarian or support officer.
- In Progress: The issue is being reviewed or worked on.
- Awaiting User Response: The library needs more information from you.
- Resolved: The request has been answered or corrected.
- Closed: The request has been completed and closed.
- Reopened: The issue has been reopened for further action.
10. How to Track Your Request
- Log in to your dashboard.
- Click My Support Requests or E-Librarian Requests.
- Open the relevant request.
- Review the status, comments and response history.
- Reply if the E-Librarian asks for additional information.
If you submitted as a public visitor, check your email for updates.
11. How to Reply to an E-Librarian Response
- Be clear and specific.
- Provide requested information.
- Attach screenshots if helpful.
- Mention the resource title or ticket reference.
- Avoid submitting duplicate requests for the same issue.
- Use polite and professional language.
12. Common Issues the E-Librarian Can Help With
- Finding books and catalogue records.
- Searching repository items.
- Locating theses and dissertations.
- Finding faculty-based OER materials.
- Using global repository links.
- Accessing subscribed databases.
- Understanding access restrictions.
- Reporting broken links.
- Correcting metadata issues.
- Publication upload guidance.
- Citation and referencing support.
- Research skills guidance.
- Digital literacy support.
- Accessibility support.
13. What the E-Librarian May Not Be Able to Do
- Bypass copyright restrictions.
- Provide illegal access to paid resources.
- Download restricted publisher materials without permission.
- Change academic grades or assessment decisions.
- Approve research publications without review.
- Replace a supervisor’s academic guidance.
- Guarantee access to third-party platforms outside FUOYE control.
- Resolve issues that require external vendor support immediately.
14. Escalation of Requests
- Repository Reviewer
- Metadata Reviewer
- Copyright Reviewer
- Faculty Librarian
- Subject Librarian
- OER Coordinator
- Database/E-Resource Manager
- Digital Scholarship Officer
- ICT Support
- System Administrator
- University Librarian
15. Best Practice When Contacting an E-Librarian
- Select the correct support category.
- Provide a clear subject.
- Explain the issue briefly but completely.
- Include the relevant resource title or URL.
- Attach screenshots where possible.
- State what you have already tried.
- Use your official FUOYE email where required.
- Avoid submitting duplicate requests.
- Check the Help and Knowledge Base before submitting.
16. Using the E-Librarian Service for Research Support
- Literature search support.
- Search strategy development.
- Identifying relevant databases.
- Finding open-access articles.
- Locating theses and dissertations.
- Citation and referencing guidance.
- Research data discovery.
- Repository submission support.
- Open-access publishing guidance.
17. Using the E-Librarian Service for Publication Upload Support
- Completing publication metadata.
- Adding an abstract.
- Selecting keywords.
- Formatting citation.
- Adding DOI.
- Adding publisher URL.
- Linking Google Scholar or Scopus.
- Choosing access status.
- Understanding copyright restrictions.
- Responding to returned submissions.
- Correcting publication records.
18. Using the E-Librarian Service for OER Support
- Finding faculty OER resources.
- Accessing course packs.
- Finding laboratory or studio manuals.
- Reporting missing OER materials.
- Understanding OER licences.
- Requesting new resources.
- Reporting broken OER files or links.
19. Using the E-Librarian Service for Global Gateway Support
- A Global Gateway link is broken.
- A resource is wrongly classified.
- A new repository should be added.
- A resource requires verification.
- A database access note is unclear.
- A resource appears outdated.
- A user needs guidance on using an external repository.
20. Privacy and Responsible Use
- Do not include passwords.
- Do not upload confidential documents unless requested and permitted.
- Do not share another person’s private information.
- Use official contact details where required.
- Follow FUOYE acceptable-use policies.
- Respect copyright and licence rules.
21. Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to log in to contact an E-Librarian?
Some support requests may be available publicly, while others may require login. Academic staff publication support and student-specific services may require authenticated access.
How long does it take to receive a response?
Response time depends on the type and complexity of the request. Simple navigation questions may be answered faster than database access, copyright or repository review issues.
Can the E-Librarian help me upload my publication?
Yes. The E-Librarian can guide you on the upload process, required metadata, citation, DOI, abstract, keywords and external links.
Can the E-Librarian approve my publication?
Approval may require authorised repository reviewers, metadata reviewers or copyright reviewers. The E-Librarian may guide or escalate the request.
Can I report broken links?
Yes. You can report broken links in the repository, OER Hub, Global Gateway or database section.
Can students request research help?
Yes. Students can request help finding resources, searching databases, using OER, citing sources and accessing repository materials.
Can I contact the E-Librarian outside office hours?
The platform may allow request submission at any time, but responses may depend on library service hours and staff availability.
23. Support Options
- Ask an E-Librarian
- Library Support Form
- Helpdesk Ticket
- Faculty Librarian Contact
- Subject Librarian Contact
- Repository Support
- OER Support
- Database Access Support
- Technical Support
24. Article Metadata for CMS Upload
| Article Title | How to Contact an E-Librarian |
|---|---|
| Category | Using the E-Librarian Service |
| Audience | Public Visitors, Students, Academic Staff, Researchers, Librarians, E-Librarians, Admin Users |
| Status | Published |
| Tags | e-librarianlibrary supporthelpdeskdigital library helprepository supportOER supportdatabase accessresearch support |
| Display Order | 1 |
| Featured | Yes |
| Last Reviewed | 2026 |
| Visibility | Public |