For two lucky students, using the West Virginia University Librariesnewly updated Web site (http://www.libraries.wvu.edu) resulted in more than just finding a book or an electronic journal.

Nalisa Robinson, a sophomore exercise physiology major, and Emily Corio, a journalism graduate student, each netted a red iPod nano after participating in an information scavenger hunt hosted by the Libraries.

They were among 230 University students, faculty and staff who participated.

The competition was held in conjunction with the launch of the Librariesrevamped Web site. Participants were required to use the site and online resources to answer five questions. Names of those with correct responses were included in a drawing.

One contest task was to name two electronic journals about earth and environmental sciences. Another was to chat online with a librarian.

Many students were pleased to learn they could get instant help from a real person through the Ask-a-Librarian Web page.

I thought the instant messaging with a reference librarian was very neat,Corio said.I can see how that would be helpful for students.

Ask-a-Librarian is offered from 9 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; and 2-9 p.m. Sunday. The service can be accessed from the Librarieshome page by clicking on the Ask-a-Librarian icon or directly athttp://libraries.wvu.edu/ask.

I thought the contest was a real creative way to get people to start using the site,Robinson said.

The redesigned Web site, which looks cleaner and easier to read than the old site, is the handiwork of the LibrariesWeb Team. Visual arts student Andrew Carnill and Division of Arts professor Eve Faulkes used the teams plans to design graphics for the page.

In addition to Ask-a-Librarian, the new site includes E-Z Search, a Google-like search engine; the current days library hours; Elizas coffee shop hours, menus and prices; centralized library computing information; faculty information; and prominent links to find books, articles and popular services.

Beth Toren, Web services librarian, has received many comments about how easy it is to find answers to common questions. Students also like the sites new graphics.

Were very pleased to hear such positive feedback from the University community,Toren said.Our goal is to provide a quick and easy-to-use site, and we strive to be user-friendly.