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www.KnowItNow.org,

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MANSFIELD/RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY LAUNCHES ON LINE REFERENCE SERVICE THAT ANSWERS QUESTIONS 24/7, WITH REAL TIME ANSWERS FROM PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS

SEPTEMBER 10, 2004 - MANSFIELD, OHIO - Utilizing a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded by the State Library of Ohio, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library now offers 24/7 virtual reference service. The online service, www.KnowItNow.org is part of a statewide initiative that assists residents of the State of Ohio with access to information on an as-needed basis, regardless of the time of day.

According to Jean Ruark "To use the service, all that residents of Mansfield/Richland County need to do is log on to www.KnowItNow.org, and enter a zip code. From that point, the Web site guides a user to access various locations within the site." Referencing the user-friendly layout of the site." Referencing the user friendly layout of the site, Jean Ruark said "Users can ask questions on a variety of topics, chat in real time with a librarian, get help with their homework, and find answers to their questions."

Resources from business and finance, to health and medicine to science and technology and genealogy are accessible from the site, with librarians staffing the service for real time answers from users. Homework assistance is available from 2:00 P.M. TO 10:00 P.M. seven days a week. Access to the Web site is obtainable from a home computer, a personal laptop, a computer at work inside your local library.

KnowItNow.org is one of only a few virtual reference services made available through a statewide public library system in the United States. The free service is supported by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services funds, granted through the State of Ohio.

Mansfield/Richland County Public Library has been serving the community since December 19, 1908. The Main Library is located at 43 West Third Street, Mansfield, Ohio. The telephone number is 419-521-3100.