Live Librarian is a work in progress. The program will run 5 PM to 11 Midnight (E.S.T.) on Sunday nights and 3 pm to 11 pm Monday through Thursday.. The service is designed to answer basic reference questions, and to help with home work.

Users of Live Librarian will be in a private one-on-one chat with a Reference Librarian.

Reference Librarians will answer basic reference questions using a variety of online subscription products and the Internet. The Reference Librarians will also provide assistance searching the Internet. Answers or URLs may be provided via the chat or magazine articles may be e-mailed to the patron. There may be situations where the Reference Librarian refers the patron to their home library because the question requires more in depth research tools than are available online.

The Live Librarian Reference Librarians do not provide technical support. Patrons with technical questions should contact their home library or SuffolkWeb Tech Support at techsupp@suffolk.lib.ny.us.

Live Librarian users are required to provide their zip code (for statistical purposes) and their e-mail address. The e-mail address will be used if magazine articles are sent to the user, if a complex question is forwarded to the user's home library for follow-up, and to forward an evaluation form. The user's e-mail address will not be maintained on file or used for any other purpose.

The Live Librarian Reference Librarians do not provide legal, medical or tax consulting.