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About AskColorado

AskColorado fields an average of 2,000 - 3,000 questions a month. Over 200 library staff from Colorado libraries share the staffing responsibilities. At any given time, 2-5 librarians are online.

AskColorado is designed to provide customized service to fit the needs of each user. AskColorado sessions can take 5 minutes or 25 minutes depending on the question. Each session takes time because AskColorado librarians develop a dialogue with the user, work to find reliable information, and assist with research techniques.

User Comments

"I just want to thank all of you at askcolorado because you have helped me get my first A"

"It was really cool, being on line with a live librarian, better than searching the internet alone."

"Not only did I get my answer but I learned something new about using the libraries resources as well. What a great idea this is."

"Fantastic use of my taxpayer dollars!"

History

AskColorado is a collaborative service among libraries of all types throughout the state. From Sterling to Cortez, from La Veta to Steamboat Springs, public, academic, school and special libraries are joining resources to provide 24/7 information services to their communities.

Funding

AskColorado is a multi-governmental funding model with grant money provided by the Colorado State Library through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as well as from participating libraries. Each participating library provides staffing and/or money to support this popular project.

External funding partnerships are being sought to insure the future of AskColorado. For information about how you can donate, please click here.

Software

AskColorado uses Live Help on Demand software from Oracle. Want to learn more about our cooperative and the software we use? Please read this book chapter:
"AskColorado: A Collaborative Virtual Reference Service" - Chapter 8 in Implementing Virtual Reference Services, edited by Beth C. Thomsett-Scott. A LITA Guide, published by the American Library Association. 2013. http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=4252