[OPLINLIST] KnowItNow Academic Becomes A Permanent Service

[Laura Solomon]

After a successful pilot project begun in January 2008, OhioLINK is officially joining with KnowItNow24x7 to provide virtual reference service to Ohio's colleges and universities. Thanks to a commitment by librarians from twelve OhioLINK libraries to staff the service, KnowItNow Academic becomes permanent as of April 2008. In addition to college and university students, OhioLINK librarians will also be answering questions from the general public and K-12 students to contribute to the statewide, free-access quality of KnowItNow. Meg Spernoga (OhioLINK), Megan Mitchell (Oberlin College Library), Brian Leszcz (KIN Website Coordinator), and Don Boozer (KIN Coordinator) are to be commended for all their time and continuing work on behalf of this undertaking.

KnowItNow Academic is currently staffed by librarians from the following institutions: Ashland University, Cleveland Health Sciences (Case Western), Cuyahoga Community College, Lorain County Community College, Marietta College, Mount Union College, Oberlin College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Sinclair Community College, Wright State University, University of Cincinnati and Xavier University.

Funded through a federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio, KnowItNow24x7 continues to be a vital service available to all Ohio residents and having the OhioLINK libraries on-board opens a significant, new chapter in the nation's first 24x7 online reference service.

-- 
*Laura Solomon, MCIW, MLS*
/Library Services Manager/
Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
2323 W. 5th Avenue Suite 130
Columbus, Ohio 43204
614.728.5252 (voice)
(614)728-5256 (fax)
solomola at oplin.org
www.oplin.org