Get help with LibAnswers, LibChat, & Co-Ops

Step 1. Start a screenshare session in LibChat

Regardless of whether you're chatting with a patron, or internally with a department or operator, you'll have the option of starting a screensharing session right from within LibChat. This allows you to not only share and annotate your screens, but you can also communicate via audio, and even share webcam video if you're so inclined. This not only allows you to more easily present info, provide demonstrations, and troubleshoot technical issues -- just like if you and the other user(s) were together in person.

A screensharing session can be started once per chat by any staff operator (i.e. a patron cannot start a screensharing session on their own). However, once screensharing has been started and all users have joined the session, any user in the session can share their screen and request/give keyboard & mouse control (more on this in Step 2 below).

How to start a screensharing session

1. While chatting with a patron, department, or operator, click on the Request Screenshare button in the operator chat window.
   1. When using the multi-chat overlay, the Request Screenshare link can be found under the Action menu.

2. In the chat widget, the patron will receive a message containing a Join the Screensharing Session link. When they click this link, they will be able to join the session.
   • Tip: Admin users can customize the text of the patron message under Admin > LibChat Set-up > Screensharing.

3. In the chat history, you'll see a System message appear, which includes a button for starting the screensharing session as the host. Click that green Launch button to begin the session as a host.

4. In another browser tab, the Open Webex page will prompt you to launch the meeting.
   1. If you do not currently have the Cisco Webex app installed your computer: Click on the Download it now button.
      • The meeting client is available for Windows & Mac.
   2. If you prefer to join the meeting via your browser (no download required): click on the Join from your browser link.
      • When joining from a browser, please note the following:
        • You must be signed into Cisco Webex to start the meeting.
        • For best results, we strongly recommend that you use Google Chrome (or other Chromium-based browsers, such as the new Microsoft Edge). Screensharing, meeting audio, or other functionality may not be available in other browsers.
   3. If you already have Cisco Webex installed on your computer: your browser may automatically prompt you to launch the app and join the meeting. If not, click on the Launch Meeting button.

5. Once Webex has launched, you will be prompted to configure your audio/visual settings and join the meeting. Click the Start Meeting button when you're ready.

6. After the patron joins, they will appear in the Participants list.
   • Note: If the patron has joined the meeting as a guest, they will appear as Unverified.

Step 2. Use the Webex app to share your screen

​Although the meeting controls may look slightly different depending upon a user's operating system, the basics should generally look the same for all users in the meeting (i.e. the staff and patron users). For a video tutorial of how to use screensharing, please see the Webex screensharing documentation.

1. Click on the Share button in the Webex app and select the screen view (i.e. desktop or specific app window) you want to share.

2. When sharing has started, you can use the presentation controls to make adjustments to your screensharing.
   1. Use the Share button to adjust what element of your computer you are sharing in Webex.
   2. Use the More Options (...) button to access controls for giving remote control, sharing computer audio, etc.
   3. To stop or pause sharing your screen (but not end the meeting), click the Pause / Stop Presenting button in the presentation controls.

Step 3. Ending a screensharing session

To completely end the meeting, click on the red En Meeting (X) button. Please note that this will only end your screensharing session in Webex—your LibChat session will remain active until someone ends the chat.