SMS/Texting Available In:
USA
Canada
Australia
United Kingdom:
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
Upcoming LibAnswers Training
One Platform For All Your Virtual Reference Needs
LibAnswers w/ LibChat:
LibAnswers is a complete online reference platform used by over 1,200 libraries around the world.
- Virtual Channels - Route Email, Twitter, SMS, and a customizable Ask Us Form into the system.
- Unlimited FAQs - Create a robust knowledge base of FAQs that are accessible even when you're closed. Use FAQ groups to create internal/private FAQs as a staff repository.
- Live Chat - Setup multiple chat depts. using our robust live chat, LibChat. This way, only librarians assigned to that dept. see that chat.
- Point-of-Need Widgets - Embed multiple types of LibAnswers and LibChat widgets onto any webpage.
- Robust Stats - You'll have a wealth of reports at your fingertips giving you detailed statistics on all your incoming reference interactions as well as usage stats on your public FAQs.
- Reduce 'Noise' - Do you manage multiple emails and service points? Reduce the signal-to-noise ratio by adding multiple queues.
LibAnswers in a Springshare Minute
Libraries Using LibAnswers - Live Examples
Consortial/State-Wide Use of LibAnswers:
- LibAnswers, Delaware Statewide AskaLibrarian Service (Delaware)50 Libraries in Delaware, from Public to Academic to Special, participate in the Delaware Statewide AskALibrarian Service and use LibAnswers to deliver it!
- LibAnswers, Florida's Statewide AskALibrarian Service (Florida)With over 130 participating libraries (Academic, Public, K-12), the Tampa-Bay Library Consortium, uses LibAnswers to power their state-wide service.
Academic Libraries:
- LibAnswers, APUS: American Public University System Library (Virginia)Headquartered in West Virginia, this online library serves over 100,000 military students stationed all over the world.
LibAnswers is perfect for assisting their students, 24/7, with 180+ FAQs, chat, texting, and more. - LibAnswers, Ashland University Library (Ohio)This Ohio-based Library has outdone itself with spectacular site customizations, integrated LibCal hours, and a compelling layout.
- LibAnswers, Stevenson University Library (Maryland)This Maryland-based Academic library uses LibAnswers to share over 150 FAQs ranging from renewing books online and plagiarism/copyright information.
- LibAnswers, Shippensburg University Library (Pennsylvania)With over 600 FAQs, this Pennsylvania academic library meets users needs 24/7.
Public Libraries:
- LibAnswers, Austin Public Library (Texas)Austin Public Library, located in Texas, has a beautifully customized system offering a variety of virtual reference options from LibChat to SMS/texting and giving their patrons access to over 200 librarian-vetted FAQs.
- LibAnswers, New Hanover County Public Library (North Carolina)This North Carolina Public Library uses LibAnswers to answer questions about library cards and borrowing, share local Willmington history, and more!
- Interview w/ New Hanover County Public Library on their LibAnswers systemWe had the pleasure of chatting with Rachel Langlois from the NHCPL about their use of LibAnswers and they had this to say,
"LibAnswers is like having a Jedi knight in your pocket; these ARE the answers you’re looking for, and we know this because our patrons tell us with each query. Gone are the days of static lists of endless, hard-to-search questions. LibAnswers crushes this FAQ Deathstar with a responsive design and easy interface, pushing Ask NHCPL into hyper drive and giving us the tools to anticipate our patrons' needs."
- Infographic on LibGuides & LibAnswers Mobile Responsiveness, New Hanover Public Library (North Carolina)
Amazing infographic on how LibGuides & LibAnswers version 2 has helped increased mobile usage. They're capturing as many as 10,000 new users of their site each month.
School Libraries:
- LibAnswers, The Wheeler School Library (Rhode Island)Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the Wheeler School offers SMS/Texting and tweeting with customized groups containing FAQs for Upper School students.
Special Libraries:
- LibAnswers, The Henry Ford Library (Michigan)Located in Dearborn, Michigan, contains tons of historical FAQs on the Ford Motor Company, appraisal information, and more!
- LibAnswers, United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library (New York)The Dag Hammarskjold Library at the United Nations uses custom LibAnswers Groups to easily display FAQs in multiple languages!
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom domain mapping (CDM) allows you to choose your own URL for your LibAnswers system. Here are a few examples of real custom domains used by LibAnswers customers:
Each queue comes with the following communication channels:
- Email - Route a library email address directly into the LibAnswers system.
- Customizable Ask Us Form - Create a customizable ask us form and embed that form anywhere and everywhere using robust widgets.
- The Ask Us form also appears when users query your public-facing FAQs and retrieve zero results. They can then submit their question to the system.
- Twitter - Integrate your Twitter account and receive/post Tweets right from within LibAnswers.
- SMS - Get a local SMS number and all incoming text-messages are routed right into your system.
- Available in the USA, Canada, and the U.K. Don't see your country listed? Ask me and we'll discuss availability.
Each queue comes with the following communication channels:
- Email - Route a library email address directly into the LibAnswers system.
- Customizable Ask Us Form - Create a customizable ask us form and embed that form anywhere and everywhere using robust widgets.
- The Ask Us form also appears when users query your public-facing FAQs and retrieve zero results. They can then submit their question to the system.
- Twitter - Integrate your Twitter account and receive/post Tweets right from within LibAnswers.
- SMS - Get a local SMS number and all incoming text-messages are routed right into your system.
Need more queues? Contact me and we'll discuss it!
No, and here's why. The features built into LibAnswers are reliant upon the intercommunication between parts (LibChat and Ref. Analytics, for example). Therefore, the entire system is platform and can't be purchased piece-by-piece.
From 3” smartphones to 28” monitors, your users have a variety of tools at their disposal. LibAnswers automatically delivers the optimal display – whatever device they’re on.
Can I use LibAnswers across multiple departments outside of my library or across branches/buildings?
Yes, if you need queue pricing - contact me and we'll discuss your needs.
Your content is your own. If you ever decide to cancel LibAnswers, we'll give you all of your data in an XML format within 30 days of canceling.
Absolutely! You can create internal/hidden FAQs that can only be accessed by logged-in users - creating an internal staff intranet.
LibAnswers is priced based upon the number of users in your demographic accessing the system.
- For Academic Libraries - this would be your total FTE
- For Public Libraries - your total registered card holders
- For School Libraries - your total number of students
- For Special Libraries - this would be your total number of intended patrons accessing/using the system
LibAnswers is a yearly subscription.
We don't like the word 'limit'. You can create an unlimited number of:
- Public-facing FAQ Groups
- FAQs
- Receive an unlimited number of incoming tickets
- Accounts
- Systems & Services to monitor in the Systems & Services Management Tool
Based upon your subscription, there are limits on:
- Queues
- Reference Analytics Datasets