August 25, 2004

AnswerXPress Online Reference Services Delivers Answers 24/7

Need to know who invented the electric guitar so you can win a bet with your roommate? Ever wondered why Teflon doesn’t stick? Think you remember seeing one of your classmates on America’s Most Wanted? Or maybe you need help researching a term paper that’s due in the morning. Who first uttered that great quote you want to use, and how many people in America died of gunshot wounds last year? Thanks to collaboration between three local libraries, you can now find answers to these and other nagging questions free any time of the day or night — 7 a.m., noon, or even 3 a.m. — by connecting with a librarian online. The three libraries – Boise State University’s Albertsons Library, Ada Community Library and Boise Public Library – recently launched answerXpress.com, a free 24-hour-a-day interactive online reference service. Users start a session by logging on to www.answerXpress.com, where chat technology lets them discuss the information request with a librarian. The librarian may then search specialized databases, as well as the Internet, to select the best information sources. These will be sent directly to the customer’s computer screen. After the session ends, the customer receives a list of sites visited and a complete transcript of the session via e-mail. The state-of-the-art service was developed to serve southwest Idaho residents and Boise State students, core users of library reference services for the three libraries; however, anyone who submits a question will be served. Although zip code information is requested, it won’t be used to limit the service area unless demand requires it. “Although we expect students to be important users of the service, we’re there to answer all types of questions,” said Vicki Kreimeyer, project coordinator and Adult Services division manager at Boise Public Library. “We can help track down that special recipe, locate addresses, quotations, statistics and miscellaneous facts, or find product information.” Patrons can log on to the service through the three individual library Web sites, or by going directly to www.answerXpress.com. Neither method requires a library card. Full coverage of the 24/7 service is possible due to a combination of library staff from the three partnering libraries, 300 cooperative libraries and the vendor.   AnswerXpress.com was funded with a grant from the Idaho State Library under the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as well as funding and staffing from the three participating libraries. -30- Contact Elaine Watson Albertsons Library Documents/Reference Librarian 208-426-1737 ewatson@boisestate.edu  Media Contact Kathleen Craven Boise State communications and marketing 208 426-3275 kcraven@boisestate.edu