ASK! Who? Librarian?

A question in mind

If you have a question in mind, what will you do? You may decide intuitively to search for the answers using Google search engine. You click on several links only to find out that the ‘answers’ are not useful. You decide to change the keywords, hoping that the results will be different. Definitely the results returned by Google will be different.

1. 
   
   Nevertheless, are those results relevant?


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   Do the links lead you to the answers that you are seeking?

You may continue to perform another 1 – 2 hours of search. In the end, the search may remain a wild-goose chase.

What should you do to answer the questions that you have in mind (if you had spent hours searching in vain for the answers via Google)?

You may want to visit the advisory counters at any of the regional libraries (Woodlands, Jurong, and Tampines).

Why? What can you expect?

ASK! service

We (librarians) might be able to save you time and let you focus on using the information. We will search from reliable and authoritative library resources or other external sources. We will provide answers or point you in the right direction to get what you need.

Replies would be sent within 3 days.

Give the ASK! service a try. Submit your question to the ASK! service now.

Link to ASK! service: http://www.pl.sg/page/PlJustAskContent/Ask&_nfls=false

What questions can you ask?

Just about anything. Think you have a "wacky" question? Just ASK! As you may have suspected, we do handle a number of general questions about the library such as “What time does the library close”, “How many books can I borrow” and “Where is the toilet”. On the other hand, we do receive many interesting questions that really put our knowledge of the library collections (children, young people and adult) to the test.

If you are wondering what types of questions that librarians receive from library users, you may want to visit our ASK! Blog (http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/ask/).

Below is a reply from our librarian (Ms Chen Wanying) to the question “Is the panda a bear”.

Well, that depends on the type of pandas! The giant panda, otherwise scientifically known as the Ailuropoda melanoleuca, is a bear! Physically, the giant panda does resemble a bear, with its stubby tail and bulky physique. It has “black and white fur and feeds on bamboo forests at high altitudes in western China”. Also, it can be found in the Himalayas as well.

However, the other type of panda, known as the red or lesser panda, the Ailurus fulgens , has “thick reddish brown fur”, “white face markings and a long ringed tail.” The lesser panda belongs to the raccoon family and unlike the giant panda which is a solitary animal, the lesser panda prefers to “live in pairs or small groups in bamboo forests.”

Sources: 1) Brittancia Online Reference Center: Giant Panda-Ailuropoda melanoleuca 2) Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia:Panda 3) Kids Infobits: Pandas

So what should you do if Google doesn’t miraculously provide you links to answers that you are seeking for your questions?

Do not hesitate further … Visit us at any of the regional libraries and ASK! ; )

p.s. For anyone who wishes to join the NLB Family (as a public librarian), it would be good to find out more about rest of the library services provided by Public Libraries Singapore.

1. http://www.pl.sg/page/PlJustBrowseContentBook2/ChildrenLibrarianServices&_parent=ChildrenLibrarianServices


2. http://www.pl.sg/page/PlJustBrowseContentBook2/TeensLibrarianServices&_parent=TeensLibrarianServices&_nfls=false


3. http://www.pl.sg/page/PlJustBrowseContentBook2/AdultsLibrarianServices&_parent=AdultsLibrarianServices&_nfls=false

p.p.s. Have a nice day. (Wei Meng)