24/7 Internet-Based Librarian Reference Service Now Available

Greenburgh Public Library patrons can now turn to a trained professional librarian to answer questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Library’s new virtual reference tool, InfoAnytime, provides a live connection to a reference librarian who answers questions in real time. Greenburgh is the first library in Westchester County to offer this service.

Simply by going to InfoAnytime, patrons can connect live to a reference librarian who can help them answer just about any question anytime. “Our new virtual reference service offers our patrons the ultimate reference service,” Eugenie Contrata, Acting Library Director says. “From the convenience of their home or office computers, patrons can be instantly connected with a live reference librarian who will work with them to answer their questions then and there.”

This new service is as easy to use as any instant messaging service, but packs in a lot more features. The patron and the librarian can simultaneously browse web pages, librarians can send electronic files or articles to patrons directly without using e-mail, and the service provides direct access to all the library’s extensive databases and electronic collections.

Patrons can also enter a username and password which will allow them to return later and access a transcript of their session in case they forget a citation or article. Everything, including direct links and copies of files, will be stored and can be accessed for months. The service is staffed by trained, professional reference librarians provided by New York-based Tutor.com.