is Connecticut's real-time, web-based reference service that provides live librarians to assist
students, faculty and the public in finding information to support
their research.
InfoAnytime is contracted through Tutor.com and allows students and patrons of the trial sites to connect to a professional librarian 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sessions are conducted via online chat, using information found on the web and in CT's very own iCONN databases. Anyone with a web browser can access the service - there is no special software required.
In the summer of 2005, CLC's InfoAnytime began coordinating with Bibliomation's AskYourLibrary.org, a similar virtual reference service contracted through OCLC serving primarily public libraries. The InfoAnytime name was retained for the new combined service. By combining forces, together CLC and Bibliomation can offer virtual reference to public and academic libraries throughout Connecticut.
Users of the service click on the InfoAnytime link on their library's web site, enter their name and their question and wait a few moments for a librarian to come online.
Professional, highly-trained librarians conduct reference interviews via online chat, and provide answers and further resources in the form of web sites and online database citations. These online resources appear directly on the user's screen, next to the chat session window. The user may interact both with the web sites provided and with the librarian until his/her question has been answered satisfactorily.
At the end of each session, both the participant and the reference librarians at the college receive transcripts of the session via email.
InfoAnytime is inexpensive thanks to the CT legislature - for public libraries serving populations of less than 50,000 the cost is $50 per year. For public libraries serving populations of 50,000 or more the cost is $75 per year. And all Academic libraries get the service for $100 per year. What a bargain!
Considering InfoAnytime for your library? Have questions about the service? Please contact CLC's Kirsten Kilbourn at 860-344-8777 or send an email to InfoAnytime@ctlibrarians.org.
InfoAnytime is contracted through Tutor.com and allows students and patrons of the trial sites to connect to a professional librarian 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sessions are conducted via online chat, using information found on the web and in CT's very own iCONN databases. Anyone with a web browser can access the service - there is no special software required.
In the summer of 2005, CLC's InfoAnytime began coordinating with Bibliomation's AskYourLibrary.org, a similar virtual reference service contracted through OCLC serving primarily public libraries. The InfoAnytime name was retained for the new combined service. By combining forces, together CLC and Bibliomation can offer virtual reference to public and academic libraries throughout Connecticut.
Users of the service click on the InfoAnytime link on their library's web site, enter their name and their question and wait a few moments for a librarian to come online.
Professional, highly-trained librarians conduct reference interviews via online chat, and provide answers and further resources in the form of web sites and online database citations. These online resources appear directly on the user's screen, next to the chat session window. The user may interact both with the web sites provided and with the librarian until his/her question has been answered satisfactorily.
At the end of each session, both the participant and the reference librarians at the college receive transcripts of the session via email.
InfoAnytime is inexpensive thanks to the CT legislature - for public libraries serving populations of less than 50,000 the cost is $50 per year. For public libraries serving populations of 50,000 or more the cost is $75 per year. And all Academic libraries get the service for $100 per year. What a bargain!
Considering InfoAnytime for your library? Have questions about the service? Please contact CLC's Kirsten Kilbourn at 860-344-8777 or send an email to InfoAnytime@ctlibrarians.org.
[Last Updated - 07.15.08]
