Recently, the New York Public Library was covered by CBS This Morning, specifically discussing the reference service provided to New Yorkers and beyond. Librarians were referred to as, "the Human Google" and were said to be "the most-trusted source" despite the speed and ease of online searching. About 2.5 million people visit the NYPL each year, and the Ask Desk, NYPL's ready reference service, fields about 300 inquiries each day, via phone, email, chat and more.
Roughly five hours up the Northway from the NYPL, the librarians of Douglas Library provide the same kind of service, just on a much smaller scale. Did you know the librarians here at Clinton answer reference questions every day? Whether at the reference desk providing answers in-person, via telephone, or email, or through our participation in the Ask Us 24/7 chat reference cooperative, our three staff librarians are your "Human Google" and we're happy to help.
Should you need assistance but can't come to the library? Feel free to use the Ask Us 24/7 chat reference service. Actually, feel free to use the service even if you CAN come to the library. You can find a link to it on most library web pages (see icon below). Click on the icon and you'll be connected with a live person - a real librarian, 24 hours/day, 365 days/yr.
While we participate in the chat service by covering two hours each week, please note that you probably won't be chatting with a Douglas Library librarian, as the service is staffed by hundreds of librarians from institutions all across the United States. Rest assured, we've provided them information about our library and services, and given them access to our resources, so they should be able to assist you, almost as well as one of us. ;-)
