askON @ WPL

Chat live with askON’s expert staff and get help finding answers to your questions.

Waterloo Public Library has joined askON, a province-wide initiative that uses real-time chat technology to connect members of the public with experienced librarians who can help find authoritative online information on a broad range of topics, all without charge.

askON is an interactive information and research service for Ontarians offered by public libraries in the province. Let the askON staff use their skills and experience to help you find better information than you could on your own.

The askON chat service is jointly staffed by twenty-two Ontario public libraries, including WPL. A customer may be chatting with askON staff from a different library but may, depending on the question and staff availability, be referred back to WPL.

At the end of your chat session there will be a short survey. Please provide us with your feedback so that we can enhance, expand and improve askON.

Service Hours

Monday - Thursday 12:30PM - 8:30PM

Friday & Saturday 12:30PM - 4:30PM

Sunday 1:30PM - 4:30PM

askON will be closed on regular holidays and when public libraries are normally closed. When the services is closed you may send an email question to your library.

Welcome to askON, a chat-based research help services brought to you by Knowledge Ontario and Ontario libraries. You may be connected to someone from outside your library system.

We accept questions from users of other Ontario libraries and from individuals outside Ontario but may, depending on the question and staff availability, refer you to your local library. Even if a referral is necessary, we’ll always try to find enough information to get you started. Restrictions may apply to licensed databases.

You are getting help from a real person. Please be polite. We will not answer personal questions or questions that contain offensive language. We monitor usage and reserve the right to disconnect those who display rude or inappropriate behaviour.

Be patient with us. There are 2-4 librarians online but sometimes we are busy managing large numbers of people asking questions at the same time. A chat-based reference session may last 10-15 minutes or more. If you are unable to wait, please try askON again later. Thank you!

At the end of your chat you can print a transcript of your session or request it by email. there is also a shorty survey; please provide us with your feedback so that we can enhance, expand and improve askON.

Privacy

askON collects the minimum amount of information from visitors necessary to provide effective service. Your email address, if given, is not storedand will not be used for any other purpose.

Learn more at askON.ca