AskAway is an online reference service that opens the vast resources of Illinois's libraries to all residents, no matter where they live or when they need information. Libraries already provide many services that users can access from outside of the physical library building including:

The 24-hour-a-day, 7-days a week AskAway answering service is staffed by the 24/7 Reference Consortium, a group of hundreds of librarians across the country who work together to provide this service. Local Illinois librarians contribute time to the consortium and local residents benefit from the expanded service.

With continuing tight state and local budgets, cooperative ventures like AskAway are more vital than ever. AskAway is a new way of expanding a service that librarians have provided for years, and by joining a national consortium the costs are minimal for the high level of service customers receive.

People are also busy. In small communities with limited library hours, residents may be at work or caring for their families when their local library is open. Those who commute to other communities for work may seldom be in their hometown when the library is open. AskAway provides a new opportunity for these citizens to use the expertise and resources available at their library from their home or work computers.

People around the country are praising the service, saying they found it "very cool," "quick and easy," and "wonderful." One user responded simply "Wow!"

Ask?Away is a consortium of Illinois and Wisconsin libraries and is funded by the Illinois State Library/Secretary of State Jesse White with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

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Main Location: 150 N. Ottawa, Joliet, IL 60432
Branch Location: 3395 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60431
Phone: (815) 740-2660
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-9pm - Saturday 9am-4pm - Sunday 1pm-5pm