Join and Use the Library Slack Workspace
- Gillian Bailey
- Jonathan Wilson
- Joseph Orellana
- Former user (Deleted)
About Slack
Slack is the Library's chat-style communication tool. Our Slack workspace is called UCLA Library, found at uclalibrary.slack.com.
Our workspace is part of the campus-wide 'Enterprise Grid', and can theoretically be used to communicate with any active UCLA staff, faculty, and students.
Slack can be accessed through a browser, or a desktop or mobile app. See slack.com/downloads for app downloads.
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IT Services: How to Use Slack Slack: Getting Started |
Join the Workspace
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Requests are approved by one of the Slack admins for the Library.
We first look for a Jira ticket (typically an on-boarding or new accounts request) that references the person who is trying to join. If we cannot find one, the request will be denied.
If a request is erroneously denied, please comment on an existing Jira ticket, or submit a new ticket with the person’s name and UCLA Logon ID.
Add Display Name
By default, only your UCLA Logon ID will be searchable in Slack. To help people find you, please edit your profile to include your full name, display name, and any other preferred fields.
Your profile is shared across all UCLA Slack workspaces, it is not Library-specific.
Help Using Slack
Slack has extensive support documentation for how to use their services. You can find their knowledge base here: get.slack.help
Articles regarding various settings can be found at Your profile & preferences
If you have a question or need assistance, please visit the Staff Technology Support portal or inquire in the #slack_talk channel.
There is also a channel in the main UCLA workspace called #slack-help.
Slack FAQs
Can non-UCLA people join as guests?
Yes, they can join as a single-channel or multi-channel guest. Please submit a ticket with the person's name and email and Slack admins can extend an invitation.
Can UCLA people join as guests?
No, if the person has an active UCLA Logon ID, they must use that to log in and use Slack. They will be normal members and cannot be restricted to a specific channel like guest accounts can be.
How private are Slack messages?
Slack is a professional tool for work, and should be considered about as private as email. DMs and private channels are only readable by the people in them (short of a subpoena), but note that it is not difficult to create and share a screenshot of any content in Slack.
It is not a true end-to-end encrypted platform like Signal or iMessage.
What is “The Grid”?
When the folks at UCLA decided to pay for Slack for the entire campus, they set up what Slack calls and Enterprise Grid. The grid is essentially a management layer for many distinct workspaces. The Library’s workspace was previously a standalone paid business plan, and it migrated to the Enterprise Grid in July 2021.
The grid administrators are able to control settings that we cannot change, such as the authentication method (UCLA Logon ID) and some preferences (e.g. we cannot share files externally from Slack).
Can I upload custom emoji?
Slack admins can upload custom emoji but members cannot, as part of the enterprise grid restrictions. If you have a (work-appropriate) emoji, find a Slack admin to add it or ask in #slack_talk. There is no formal process for this important work.