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24/7 Reference Help - Have a
Question? Ask Us!
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Ask Us
is a
free online information service that can answer almost any question you
can think to ask!. Real reference librarians in real time answer your
questions, help you find information, or point you in the right direction
to get what you need. Whether you need a diagram of the wiring for a 1999
Ford Mustang,
an article from last week's newspaper, a hint on how to start your
homework, directions to a vacation destination, or help on remembering the
star of that Broadway show you saw in 1954, Ask
Us can
help.
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Ask
Us is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - anytime that you're on the
Internet. The
professional librarians can help with most questions. Ask
Us is an online information service in which we provide answers, resources, and
research hints and guidance. We will not provide opinions, advice, or personal
information.
Getting
Started:
1. In the right hand frame, provide
the information in the form, then type in your question and click on
"Connect."
2. You'll see chat responses from Ask Us staff in the right hand frame. You can
continue asking questions and chatting in the lower area of that frame - just
type and then click on "Send."
3. You'll also receive information from Ask Us in the left hand frame. This
might be Web pages that you browse together with the librarian, copies of
documents, or a series of slides helping you find information.
4. When you're done, click on "End Call."
You
can get a transcript of your session by clicking on the provided link, or by
later clicking on "Old Transcripts" and entering the name you used and
your session ID (provided at the end of your session)
Return
Hints
for Students
• Allow
enough time to use Ask Us. Finding good information may take a few minutes but
may save you time later.
•
Ask Us is a chat environment. Keep asking questions to get the information you
need.
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You are asking questions of a librarian, not a search engine! They are there to
help you. Please be polite.
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The librarian may ask you questions to narrow your topic. This will help them
quickly find better information for you.
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The librarian can help you find reliable information, but they will not do your
work for you.
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Try your own librarian. She/He can help you too!
Return
Tips
for Parents and Teachers
Libraries
throughout Shelby County are working together to provide the Ask US online
information service. We are pleased by the increasing interest from students,
teachers, school media specialists, and parents throughout Shelby County. In
order to meet the growing demand for this service, please share with your
students some specifics about Ask US and suggestions for effective use.
•
We recommend that classroom groups work together to ask a single classroom
question.
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Ask Us is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.
Please encourage students to use this resource on nights and weekends as needed.
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Ask Us saves time. We are able to provide reliable information in less time than
if the student were to search on his/her own.
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Please ask students to be aware that Ask US is not instantaneous. It is designed
to provide customized service to fit the needs of each user. Ask Us sessions can
take 5 minutes or 25 minutes depending on the question. Each session takes time
because Ask Us librarians develop a dialogue with the student, work to find
reliable information, and assist the student in learning search techniques.
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Ask Us is an online information service in which we provide answers, resources,
and research hints and guidance. We will not provide opinions, advice, or
personal information.
•
Please inform students that they are working with a library professional who
wants to assist all Shelby County residents. We hope this realization will
increase effective student use and reduce disrespectful transactions.
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We have created a document called “Hints for
Students.” Please feel free to print and post this as needed.
Return
Contact
Us
Want more information about Shelby County Public Libraries and the
services we provide? Click here for Contact Information.
Return
Disclaimer
Every
effort is made to provide accurate information, however, Ask Us does not control
the content of resources used. The user agrees to hold the libraries harmless
from any claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities relating to the
use of information obtained from this service.
The provision of any factual information or materials, and the identification of
other web sites that may be used in obtaining additional information (e.g.
legal, medical, financial, or tax issues) cannot be construed as advice, nor
endorsement of any particular product, web site, or vendor.