L-net Expands to 24/7 Access; Got a Question? Get Online for Free Expert Answers from Oregon's Librarians.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- L-net, a free online information service provided through Oregon libraries announced today that the service is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone in Oregon can go to http://www.oregonlibraries.net and connect to a knowledgeable reference librarian to have a question answered at any time from anywhere, all you need is a computer with Internet access.

Stop Searching, Start Finding

Anyone who has used a Web search engine knows the frustration of searching for information and getting thousands of Web site hits in return -- none of which contain the answers you were hoping to find. L-net connects you to a real, live librarian who will help you find the right information using Web resources as well as the library's databases. Whether it's 3 p.m. at the office or 3 a.m. in a dorm room, you don't have to endlessly search the Web, you can connect to a trained librarian and find the answers you need -- from what book to read next to a chemical analysis of the ash from Mt. St. Helens. Librarians use online chat for fast communication and you receive a copy of your session right away.

"Even with Google, accurate information is still sometimes hard to find. We developed L-net so that every Oregonian would be to be able to tap the expertise of some of our best, most knowledgeable librarians in finding the best source of authoritative information," said Jim Scheppke, State Librarian of Oregon. "It doesn't matter if you live in Portland or in Juntura. If you have access to the Internet -- at home, at work, or at school -- you can get answers from an expert librarian."

Expanded 24/7 Access follows Successful Pilot

L-net launched in 2003 and was previously available Sundays through Thursdays from Noon - 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from Noon - 4 p.m. Librarians answered 400 questions a month on average. Eighteen libraries from across the state including university, public and school libraries are participating to answer questions around the clock. The state has also contracted with Librarians by Request, a librarian staffing service from Tutor.com to help provide coverage throughout the night. The librarians hold MLS or MLIS degrees and are trained to answer local Oregon questions for a seamless service. L-net is made possible with funds granted by the Oregon State Library under the Library Services and Technology Act and by the collaboration of Oregon's libraries.

About L-net

L-net, Oregon's statewide digital reference service, began in January 2003 as a pilot project called Answerland. The idea for the pilot project came from the Oregon State Library's 2002 E-reference task force and the Oregon Library Association's Vision 2010 Call to Action.

The premise for the service is that Oregon's libraries can serve our communities well by connecting Oregon citizens directly to reference librarians online. Collaboration ensures that we do this efficiently and effectively. Funding for this project is provided by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant funds through IMLS and the Oregon State Library. The fiscal agent for the pilot project is Multnomah County Library.