MassAnswers

MassAnswers is an online reference service made available to all Massachusetts residents through an LSTA grant administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Libraries are encouraged to put this logo on their websites, and link to Regional Reference Centers across Massachusetts as well as leading libraries across the country.

To download MassAnswers logos:
Right click on the graphic below and choose "Save picture as..." or "Save Image as..."

MassAnswers logo

Save the image, then add it to your website and link to MassAnswers! The URL for MassAnswers is:

http://www.questionpoint.org/crs/servlet/org.oclc.home.TFSRedirect?virtcategory=11074

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Note: when a CMRLS patron or librarian clicks on the MassAnswers icon, their question may be picked up by a librarian in North Carolina, California, Colorado or one of 15 other states. Massachusetts librarians do participate, but depending on the day and time of the question, a librarian from another state may be on duty.

More about how 24/7 works

When your patron clicks on the MassAnswers icon, they are linked to the national 24/7 service. They type in their question on the form provided and, after clicking Connect, a 24/7 librarian comes on and begins an online reference interview. The librarian may decide to answer the question using pre-selected sites chosen by 24/7 staff or they may do an Internet search on the topic. Whichever choice is made, once the information has been located on the Internet, the 24/7 librarian sends the entire web page to your patron’s screen.

Along with the web page, the librarian will send messages as to how the page is set up, how the search was conducted and where the specific information is located. Each step of the way, it is the librarian’s responsibility to ask the e-patron, just as they would the in-person patron, if they have their answer or if they need more help. If the patron has provided an e-mail address, a transcript of their session is sent to them via e-mail.

To try a demo of 24/7 connect to this site: http://www.247ref.org

Some typical questions are:

What is the chemical process for separating oxygen from water?

Can you tell me what company John Teaneck works for?

What is the expected density of a penny made after 1963?

In certain cases, where the answer can’t be provided from a web search or the resources available, the patron is offered several options. In some instances their question may be referred to an expert designated to handle this subject; while in other instances their question may be e-mailed to the appropriate library for further work. The latter works well for local questions of any kind.

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