What is Enquire?
Enquire is a live question and answer service available 24 hours a day, every day and is provided as part of the People's Network. It works like instant messaging or chat room technology, allowing you to put questions to trained staff who can help you, just as they would if you were talking to them face-to-face or on the telephone. Library services in England and Scotland are working with library staff in the USA to deliver Enquire around the clock. English and Scottish library staff currently deliver the service from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm. USA library partners cover other times.
How do I use it?
To use Enquire follow the link to the Enquire website and enter a name, email address, postcode and question in the online form. After sending this information you will receive confirmation followed shortly after by another message either saying that you have been placed in a queue or that your call will be picked up by a member of staff. Once the call is picked up, a new browser window will open and your screen will change to a chat page. Now type your responses or further questions in the message box provided.
You may opt to receive the answer to your question by email rather than live chat.