PROJECT CONTACT  

Natalie Tagge 
Illinois State Library
217.557.6329

Ask?Away Illinois  
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and away we go...

Ask?Away Illinois Ask?Away Illinois  is an Internet-based reference service that allows information seekers to interact online and in real time with a skilled librarian.  The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Reference librarians from public, academic, school, medical, and other special libraries in Illinois staff the service in collaboration with librarians in Wisconsin and beyond for peek time and after-hour support.

Joining other librarians who participate in this online service gives you a chance to use your talent and skills in a forum that is unique and exciting.  You will be assisting online users at their point of need.  Services such as Ask?Away also showcase librarians as a valuable resource in the information age.

Want to see virtual reference in action? Watch video of Sarah Long (Director, North Suburban Library System) interviewing Bill Pardue, Virtual Reference Librarian at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

Need to get a quick overview of Ask?Away? Download the powerpoint presentation listed in the Documents tab.

QuestionPoint TRAINING VIDEO

QUICK CONNECT WITH THE QWIDGET

QWidget SampleAskAway is proud to introduce QuestionPoint's new widget interface. Now patrons can ask their question at the point of need…no clicking on icons or links…just type in a question, hit send and away your questions go to be answered by a qualified librarian.

Those libraries already participating in AskAway can build and add a Qwidget to their web pages NOW! Those libraries not participating can join AskAway NOW and give their patrons the opportunity to ask questions 24/7/365 through the chat form and Qwidget!

Short promotional video

As of January 1, 2009 AskAway Illinois will not be subsidized, and participating libraries will assume responsibility for the cost. For more information about this transition see BlogJunction Illinois.