Did you know you can ask a librarian for help researching a topic or to find the answer to a nagging question any time of the day or night?
Of course, our reference staff is always available here during library hours, and if you're not able to come in to talk with us in person, we're just a phone call or email away. Just click on the Ask A Librarian link to find out how to contact us.
No, we don't answer questions in the middle of the night. But, if you've Googled your question to death and we've closed the doors here and called it a day, all is not lost. Try logging on to New Jersey's statewide live chat reference service at http://www.qandanj.org. You can also use the service during library hours, and if you do, you may actually get one of us. Chances are, though, you'll get a librarian at one of the other 43 public and academic libraries throughout New Jersey who also staff QandANJ.
What makes it possible for QandANJ to offer reference assistance 24/7 is the fact that we are backed up by librarians staffing comparable programs around the country and freelance librarians who cover the graveyard shift. If New Jersey librarians are helping other customers when you log in, you'll get a librarian from another state. If you're on after 9:00 pm, you'll be chatting with a librarian on the West Coast (at least until midnight) or a librarian freelancing from home into the wee hours of the morning.
Here’s a comment from one of our many satisfied customers: "Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question so thoroughly! Librarians rock!" We'd love to hear your comments, too.
(Submitted by C. Harper, Reference Librarian)