Library turns into 'Answerland'

Got a question? Ask a librarian. Get an answer.

That's a scenario Heather McNeill described to the Sisters Library Advisory Council last week.

Deschutes Public Library System (DPLS) -- including the Sisters branch -- is one of 20 libraries in Oregon using the Oregon-based program "Answerland."

Users are connected via the Internet with a librarian somewhere in the State of Oregon. This may be at an academic, law, medical, general or other library depending on the question. "Answerland" offers a one-on-one conversation.

Designed to tackle research questions online from school-age children, there's no reason that others cannot make good use of the service.

To visit "Answerland" from home or library, type in http://www.dpls.lib.or.us/ on your computer Internet connection. Select 'Online Resources' from the top menu bar and choose 'Ask a Librarian.' You will then be offered an 'Online Chat' with an Oregon librarian.

"Remember, this librarian may be anyplace in Oregon so she or he will probably not be able to answer a specific Sisters Library question about getting a library card, etc.," said McNeill, the Youth Services Coordinator at DPLS.

While the Sisters school system has school librarians at all levels from elementary through high school, there are other communities served by DPLS that are not as fortunate because of school funding shortfalls. "Answerland" should be particularly useful in those circumstances.

McNeill also discussed the DPLS outreach programs to schools. These include "Assignment Alert" in which teachers alert library personnel about upcoming assignments so that librarians may pull appropriate resources, prepare web links and otherwise assist students.

The library research staff is also prepared to make book lists by subject to assist with school curricula during the school year and sets up a very extensive summer reading programs at all branches.

There is a treasure trove of databases at the DPLS web site offering information on a wide variety of topics.

These sites have been chosen and screened by library staff.