Memorial Hall Library - Answers

Answers, a telephone community information and reference service that began in 1977, was partially funded with a $9500 LSCA Grant administrated by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The original project manager was Owen Smith. However, all MHL reference librarians fielded questions during library hours. In 1979, the service won the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Contest.

By 1980 Answers was described at tge Community Information Center for Greater Lawrence. The information on are organizations and service was kept in 3 index card file boxes. The first two contained information area organizations and services. The third contained difficult questions (stumpers) and questions that patrons frequently asked. In 1982, the information was entered into a database.

See

• Eagle Tribune, March 22, 1978.
• "Answers Program Lauded", Andover Townsman, April 26, 1979
• "Need Help? Just Ask a Referral Service," Boston Globe, July 30, 1982, page 35 to page 36.
• "From Trivia to the Serious, They Have the Anwers," Andover Townsman, October 27, 1983, page 12 and page 16.
• Have a Question, "Answers at Libraries," Eagle Tribune, October 19, 1986, page B1 and B3.

--Eleanor 16:23, December 29, 2006 (EST)

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