About the Library
Questions & Answers About AskNow
www.asknow.org
A service of your California libraries
1. What is AskNow?
AskNow is a service that combines the speed and convenience of the Internet
with the information savvy of librarians. California residents were among
the first in the nation to enjoy live online reference service. That means
you can go to a library website, type your question, "talk" to a librarian and get an answer while you wait--virtually the same as
if you were in a library.
2. How is AskNow different from search engines?
A search engine is a computer program that "crawls" the Web,
looking for the words you typed into the search box. AskNow connects you
with an information pro--a reference librarian who is also an Internet
expert. Thanks to interactive technology, you can communicate with the
librarian online and use all of the online resources available through
your own libraries. These resources include full-text articles from magazines
and journals, encyclopedias, almanacs, directories and other commercial
data services. A transcript of the session, including URLs for Web sites
and other resources used, can be sent by e-mail after you've finished.
3. How does it work?
Simply log on to AskNow (http://www.asknow.org) from any computer with
Internet access. When you type your question, a librarian will respond
by typing an answer.
4. What kinds of questions
can AskNow answer?
AskNow is designed to answer brief, factual questions for school, business
or home use. A few examples: "What does the "D" in D-Day
stand for?" "How do I get a patent?" "Can I take my
dog to the Philippines?" "When does Daylight Savings Time end?"
"How do I get information about overseas adoption?" "What
is an appropriate gift for a silver anniversary?" If your question
requires in-depth research, the librarian may suggest Web sites and other
sources of information to get you started. The librarian may also refer
you to a subject expert. We also encourage you to call or visit the reference
desk of your local library.
AskNow is not intended for questions about your personal library account. To protect your privacy and the security of patron records, online librarians do not have access to your personal information. You can also choose to be anonymous. After your session, you can click on a Web link to recall your transcript and then, if you like, forward that transcript to an email address.
5. Who can use AskNow?
AskNow is open to everyone living or working in California--students,
business people, seniors-anyone.
6. When is it open?
AskNow is open for business every day of the year, 24 hours a day.
7. How long will it take?
Most questions can be answered within 10 - 20 minutes. The librarian may
simply give you the answer or, if you like, show you how to find the answer
for future use.
8. How much does it cost?
There is no charge. AskNow is a service of local libraries, using a combination
of local tax dollars and federal LSTA funds administered by the State
Library of California.
9. How will the library deal
with privacy concerns?
AskNow follows standard library policy, which considers all transactions
confidential.
10. How can the library afford
to offer this type of service?
New technology makes it possible to share our resources, to provide more
service and to our users. Though no single library can staff many hours
during the week, your local reference librarians take turns with other
California librarians to be online.
11. Are you concerned that
some people might abuse this service?
Our experience is that library users are generally very responsible. We
reserve the right not to respond to questions that are offensive or inappropriate.
12. How can I get more information?
Log on to our Web site at http://www.asknow.org, talk to your reference
librarian or send e-mail to the AskNow Project Manager at info@247ref.org.