Ask Here PA Virtual Reference Service To Debut in September

-- Library Journal, 08/16/2006

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell August 3 announced the September launch of a virtual reference service dubbed Ask Here PA throughout the state's libraries. "An investment in our libraries is an investment in our future," Rendell said, adding that the service will "provide unparalleled access to a live librarian every hour of every day." The governor funded the $125,000 program through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, with 90 public and academic libraries initially volunteering for its launch. A group of 11 academic libraries and public libraries, including Villanova University, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania State Library, are field testing the service before it goes widespread on September 6.