Appalachian State University Libraries' Ask A Librarian: A Reference Service for ASU Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni

SUMMARY

As dynamic content is filling the Internet, so are choices for implementing this service/tool for Web developers. This article concentrates on one of the solutions that offers choices and tools in a single free package. Zope delivers Web-based content using a variety of sources and Internet connections. At Appalachian State University, Ask A Librarian http://www.library.appstate.edu/reference/askref.html concentrates on using Zope, the PostgreSQL database, e-mail, and the Web to offer patrons the opportunity to receive guidance from reference librarians while at a remote location.

Key Words:

• Internet
• Web
• database-driven
• open source