Information 24/7
Having access to information 24/7 is what the promise of the Internet is all about. But if your Google search is unwieldy and Ask Jeeves just doesn’t have the answer, you can go online to the Mass Answers link at the Worcester Public Library website and ask a question of a librarian 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The request is live and there really is a librarian at the other end who uses a wide variety of sources to help you. So even a librarian from Hawaii can help you find things locally. The librarian will even send a follow-up e-mail to be sure you got the help you need. This service will also refer you to legal librarians or medical librarian if you want specialized information. This is a wonderful service and you do not need a library card to use it. So if you are stuck for information at the odd time and you don’t have someone available to ask in person, try the Mass Answers 24/7 . If you try the service early afternoons, you will likely get the great staff at the Worcester Public Library as that is the shift they work. Tell them Mrs. Wargo sent you!
Changing role of Librarians (media specialists too)
There are many pundits that question the need for libraries and librarians in a world of 24/7 information on the Internet. What is curious is that the same notion can be exactly the reason why there should be librarians. Are you looking at the issue as a glass half empty or half full. Recently CNET posted a great article that I wish I could put in the hands of every person that thinks a Google search now gives them a Masters Degree in Library Science.
This article called: “The most reliable tool could be your librarian” and it speaks to that issue.
http://news.com.com/2100-1032_3-6120778.html
I figure if CNET is encouraging the use of a libraries and Google has a librarian space, just maybe people might realize that on occasion you will need the services of someone who lives in information world all day long. So when you do a search that renders you a few million hits, try asking a librarian to help you, he/she just may know how to get the information odds back in your favor and yes…save a whole lot of time.
