These days, it’s easier than ever to just ‘Ask a Librarian’

I didn’t know until I was an adult that I could go to the library and someone would help me research whatever questions I had, from the silly to the sublime.

And, if I wanted, I could telephone the library to find an address or consult on rules of grammar, to find the specific gravity of stainless steel or the zoning laws of a neighborhood.

Reference librarians are the research department for any locality and any resident may use the service for business, education, curiosity or self-improvement.

Ignorance about this service doesn’t seem to be a problem in the Bangor area. The reference department at the Bangor Public Library answers, on average, one research question every five minutes the library is open. With the advent of computers and the Internet, however, things are changing.

To keep up with the changes, the library is joining the Maine State Library and the University of Maine System Libraries to provide E-Reference service.

Actually, the term hasn’t yet been settled – some call it Virtual Reference others an “Ask-a-Librarian” Service.

E-Reference allows questioners to communicate with reference staff from their computer at home, school or work.

The questioner and librarian can “chat” by typing back and forth in real time. Co-browsing enables the librarian to display Web pages from the library’s catalog, electronic databases or the Internet. These online resources will appear on the patron’s home screen so both librarian and patron may view pages at the same time.

If you are interested in checking out E-Reference, go to the library’s Web site at www.bpl.lib.me.us and click on “Ask a Librarian.”

To start, staff will be on duty from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If no one is on duty, or if the librarian is helping someone else, a patron may send e-mail, and the reference department will respond as soon as possible.

Of course, you can be a traditionalist and come talk face to face with a reference librarian 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday – or give the library a call at 947-8336.

October Library Events:

Preschool story times and after-school programs have started. Events are free. There is at least one program every day. Contact the Children’s Department for information.

. Oct. 15 – Last day for applications for 2004 exhibits.

. Oct. 25 – Last day to submit applications for Keep Bangor Beautiful Scarecrow Contest.

. Oct. 25 – 2:15 p.m. Made in Maine Theatre Workshop. Carolyn Gage will direct a reading of “Ugly Ducklings.”

. Oct. 30 – 7 p.m. Candidates’ forum for Bangor City Council and school committee.

. Oct. 31 – 3:30 p.m. Bangor Pumpkin Festival.

Barbara McDade is the director of Bangor Public Library.