About KnowItNow

What is KnowItNow?

KnowItNow is a live online information service provided free of charge for the citizens of Ohio by the State Library of Ohio and your local public library. Professional librarians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your reference questions and assist you in finding information. Once logged on with your Ohio zip code, you and a librarian engage in a "chat" session. The librarian �pushes� high quality, authoritative online resources to your screen. You can watch and participate as librarians skillfully navigate the Internet to find precise answers to your questions. At the conclusion of each KnowItNow session, you will receive a complete transcript of your session via email including links to all the online resources shared during that session.

Why offer KnowItNow?

Your public library has a long-standing tradition of meeting the information needs of your community. As technology advances and life styles change, we seek out innovative and convenient ways to provide these traditional services. KnowItNow offers authoritative assistance anytime to any question. Whether you need help with a research paper, a math problem or your science fair project, KnowItNow is here to help you find what you are looking for.

How is KnowItNow funded?

The service is made available free of charge to all residents of Ohio through a federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio.

Who staffs KnowItNow?

Librarians around the state staff the KnowItNow service. During regular library hours staff working in Ohio�s public libraries (click here to learn if your local library contributes staffing) monitor the service and respond to your questions. After hours, the KnowItNow After Dark team of professional librarians provides high quality information service even in the �wee hours� of the morning. Online tutors are also available and ready to assist students with homework from 2 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

When is the KnowItNow service available?

KnowItNow is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. General Reference assistance is available during all hours. Specialists in the subjects of business, foreign languages, genealogy, government information, health, history, law, literature, music and art, science, technology and the social sciences are available from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday - Saturday. Questions in these specialties may be asked anytime but may be referred to specialists for next day response.

Tutoring service from online professional tutors is available from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Some questions may be referred to the online tutors during this time.

The service is closed on the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Easter
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve Day
• Christmas Day

Disclaimer

KnowItNow was established to provide timely, authoritative answers to factual questions, and to provide guidance in conducting personal research using the World Wide Web, library-provided databases, and the Libraries� collections.

Every effort is made to provide accurate information, however the Libraries do not control the content of resources used. The user agrees to hold the Libraries harmless from any claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities relating to the use of information obtained from this service.

The provision of any factual information or materials, and the identification of other web sites that may be useful in obtaining additional information regarding legal or medical issues cannot be construed as advice. Only a professional practitioner can provide specific advice and direction in resolving legal and/or medical issues.

Copyright

The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the reproduction, distribution, adaptation, public performance, and public display of copyrighted material. Responsibility for any possible copyright infringement lies solely with the user; the Library disclaims any responsibility or liability resulting thereof.

Privacy

Information collected about any individual using this service is generally incidental to the technical operation of the system. Such information will not be voluntarily published or shared with any other entity.

Below we describe what information we request and how it is used:

• Zip code: The number of sessions for each zip code is tabulated for statistical reporting. This information will only be used to gauge the reach of this service. No linkage exists between the Zip code and other information requested.
• Name: The Name is used by the software to identify a session and in communicating with the user. While a name is required, it does not have to be the full or real name. Names are stored in session transcripts, described below.
• Email address: An email address is not required to use this service. If one is provided, it will be used only in the provision of service from this site. No email addresses will be sold or given to any other entities. The Libraries may use the email address to:
• Send a transcript of the session for your reference
• Send a scanned document at a later time
• Follow up on an incomplete session
• Phone number: A phone number is not required to use this service. If one is provided, it will be used only in the provision of service from this site. No phone numbers will be sold or given to any other entities. The Libraries may use the phone number to contact a user during a session to further clarify a request for information.

Libraries may use session transcript information to:

• Follow up on an incomplete session
• Email to the user as a record of the session and a reminder of any resources provided during the session
• Monitor and improve the overall quality of service
• Develop aggregated statistical data for reporting on the number of requests received, the number of requests completed, and the average length of sessions.

In the course of clarifying the request for information the Librarian may ask for information regarding purpose (for instance, is this for a homework assignment?), or reading or grade level. Such incidental information will be used to identify appropriate resources only. Any information given to the Librarian will be stored in a session transcript.

Do you need to Reach KnowItNow?

Technical support: [email protected]
Questions about the service: [email protected]