Service detail
askON
askON is a one-on-one chat research and information service developed by Ontario’s libraries and Ask Ontario. Connect through your library’s website with a live librarian who will help you find better, more authoritative information than you could on your own. No question is too large or small, no subject too challenging for askON’s experienced research staff. You don’t even have to have a library card to ask a question.
Connect to askON from the websites of more than thirty (and growing) Ontario libraries. Chat information services are also available in French from ONdemande.ca.
For information seekers
Students, consumers, employees, businesspeople, entrepreneurs, parents, readers, writers, job seekers, travelers and seniors … everyone needs information and information is everywhere.
How do you find what you are looking for?
Wouldn’t it be easier and faster to consult with a research expert, someone experienced in helping you find the best of the best?
That’s where askON comes in. All you have to do is:
- Visit one of askON’s participating library websites.
- Click the askON chat widget:
- Tell askON what you are looking for.
- Get ready to chat live in a private, secure environment with a research expert.
askON helps you discover and explore some of the most trusted and authoritative information available on the web. Staff can help you access the resources of your library, Knowledge Ontario’s databases as well as information publicly available on the Internet.
Using askON at your library
What people say about askON:
- “askON may be your favourite new cyber-buddy” - London Free Press
- “I got some information that would have taken a lot longer to acquire and now I can start my research today. Thank you.” - askON visitor
- “overall, a GREAT experience. what a service that you provide! thank you” - askON visitor
For libraries and partners
askON is a collaborative virtual reference service. Participating libraries contribute staff time to the shared schedule and take turns responding to incoming questions. For libraries askON offers:
- a new, innovative and high quality reference delivery service with minimal risk and investment for libraries and their boards
- significant marketing and public relations opportunities
- professional and personal skill development for staff
- individual library and collective statistics on traffic and visitor satisfaction
- ongoing coordination, marketing and training support
As askON expands, every library in the province will have an opportunity to participate. Our library information site offers answers to frequently asked questions, sample statistical reports, marketing and scheduling information to help you decide if your library and community want to participate.
What askON staff say:
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“love the askON service and I'm glad we have the opportunity to be part of it” - askON staff
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“I know we help people online everyday, but …. askON can go beyond … and really help someone find that needle in a haystack info” - askON site coordinator
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“We’re getting to customers and questions we might not normally get to answer, because it’s a different point of entry to the library.” Laura Master, Kitchener Public Library, Quill and Quire Magazine, May 2009
Why collaborate? Why askON?
- Provide libraries with an opportunity to reach non-traditional library patrons, especially younger users
- Collaborating allows libraries to deliver an additional service that they would not be able to develop or sustain individually
- Better use of limited library resources
- Opportunities for library staff to build skills and develop new capacities
- Available province-wide and equally to all Ontarians
- Improves the profile of libraries as key sources of information and providers of digital literacy skill
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ONdemande est un service d’information par clavardage qui offre une aide immédiate, interactive et approfondie pour la recherche.
Par clavardage, le personnel de ONdemande oriente vos recherches et vous aide à naviguer dans Internet, sur les services de votre bibliothèque et autres ressources en ligne, y compris des revues et journaux importants en texte intégral que les Ontariens peuvent consulter par le biais de Knowledge Ontario
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