Ask Ontario (askON) is the Knowledge Ontario project focused on delivering and implementing real time, collaborative virtual reference services for the province. askON is a secure online chat service that allows Ontarians to connect, in real time, and receive one-on-one assistance from experienced library staff from 23 public libraries and 14 academic libraries.

What is Virtual Reference?

Virtual reference is another method for visitors to request information, research help and other library services from their library. Most libraries offer email or phone reference service in addition to walk up services. Virtual reference leverages the power of chat or instant messaging to allow the public to ask questions and receive information in real time from library staff. It just takes one click of the askON (or ONdemande) logo on any of partner library websites to start a virtual reference chat.

About askON

Staffed by over 400 information experts from 37 libraries (and growing) providing 40 public service hours (29 in French) and 62 academic service hours weekly, askON came together quickly for one reason – collaboration.

askON Virtual Reference Service is:

• Real time, online, personal assistance by librarians and subject specialists who can satisfy information needs, recommend authoritative resources, answer questions, and improve digital literacy skills.
• Accessible through online chat or instant messaging from a partner library website or askon.ca (or ondemande.ca)
• Makes our publicly funded libraries even more relevant by offering services that leverage the communication technologies that people are using more and more.
• Extends professional reference services equally to remote and rural communities.

About 4ReSrch

4ReSrch is a partnership between askON and the Independent Learning Centre (ILC) of TVOntario. The askON project has provided resources for 14 experienced secondary school Teacher Librarians to work in the existing “Ask a Teacher” chat rooms. The purpose of these chat rooms is to help secondary school students with their school assignments. The chat rooms are subject based and the service is secure, private, and focuses on the research process and authoritative recommended resources.

askON History

Nearly 100 individual librarians and dozens of libraries have contributed personal and staff time towards the launch of askON. Since June 2007 librarians from around the province in all library sectors (school, public, college and university) have contributed hundreds of hours serving on project task forces focusing on implementation, technology, marketing and more.

Additionally, each of the 17 pilot sites is contributing between 5-40+ hours per week of reference service time to collaboratively provide staff for the askON schedule. Without their participation we would not be able to offer this service. When libraries collaborate at the grass roots level, great things are possible.

Committees and task forces

The pilot phase of the Ask Ontario project made possible by the contribution of the project team, steering committee, and seven task forces made up of individuals from libraries across the province.

Contact

For information on how libraries can participate in askON, click here.

For information about the Ask Ontario project, management and evaluation, askON software and marketing initiatives, and for all other inquires related to this project contact Virginia Roy, Project Manager by phone: 647-288-0255 ext:37 or send an email to vroy@knowledgeontario.ca.

For askON portal/blog or backchat channel and askON scheduling or training please contact Jan Dawson, Ask Ontario Project Coordinator by phone: 647-288-0255 ext: 40 or send an email to jdawson@knowledgeontario.ca.