Ohio’s Virtual Reference Service Receives $1.12M Approval
The State Library Board of Ohio has approved $1.12 million in Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds for year two of the state’s innovative KnowItNow 24x7 (www.knowitnow.org) virtual reference service. This free online reference service, which is available to all Ohio residents, makes librarians available around the clock to answer reference questions and assist users in finding information via live chat sessions. It also provides homework assistance and additional informational resources for students. The new funds will be used to update training for participating libraries, extending tutoring hours, providing staff during holidays, as well as launching the KnowItNow service in Spanish at three libraries beginning Sept. 15.
This article originally appeared in the 10/01/2005 issue of THE Journal.