Ohio's KnowItNow statewide virtual reference service has logged more than 107,000 sessions online since its launching in September 2004 to June 2005, the end of the first year of funding. The funding made the service free for all Ohioans and ensured that professional librarians equipped with resources were available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions. KnowItNow has been approved for a second year of funding by the State Library Board of Ohio in the amount of $1.12 million.

In the first year of the service alone, training sessions were conducted for over 250 librarians, and more than 20 presentations were made at library events and conferences around the state. Analysis tools were also created to assist in evaluation of the service, including an online survey.

Fifty of Ohio's public libraries are currently on board to answer questions during daytime hours, when the majority of the questions come in. A group of 58 librarians are currently handling overnight traffic.

In KnowItNow's second year of operation, all provider libraries will be given updated training. The three coordinating partners for the online virtual reference service -- Cleveland Public Library, Cuyahoga County Public Library and the NOLA Regional Library System -- plan to offer the service in Spanish beginning September 15 to correspond with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. There are also plans to expand tutoring coverage until midnight and staff the service on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Eve Day. A window decal has been designed for KnowItNow 24x7 provider libraries to proudly display at their entrances.

A marketing team made up of representatives from the various agencies within the library community will be formed in year two to better market the service around the state to libraries, schools and the general public. More direct communication with library marketing managers is also anticipated. A number of target audiences were identified by the coordinating partners and include Spanish-speaking populations, the visually impaired, small business owners, genealogists and late-night users (midnight to 8:00 a.m.).

Marketing during the first year of the service was conducted both on regional and local levels. Video clips featuring actual users, including a senior citizen, a business professional and a student, were posted on the KnowItNow.org Web site Media Page for use by media contacts and libraries. A KnowItNow media kit was prepared and distributed to individual libraries for local promotion. Libraries from around the state utilized the kit as a promotional tool and submitted samples of their results in response to a contest.

The Elyria Public Library was named the winner for its efforts, which included an extensive feature article that appeared in a local daily newspaper. The article highlighted KnowItNow library staff interviews, a sampling of actual questions and answers, art and photos. In recognition for their achievement, the library staff received a gourmet gift basket donated by The Flavor of Ohio, an all-Ohio products retailer located in North Olmsted.

KnowItNow 24x7 is a live online reference service that is made available free to all residents of Ohio through a federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio. Professional librarians equipped with all the resources from the library (print and digital) are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer reference questions and assist in finding information. Ohioans logged onto www.KnowItNow.org with the entry of a 5-digit Zip Code on the front page of the service can engage in a "chat" session with librarians that features co-browsing capabilities. In addition to the general reference component of the online reference service, www.KnowItNow.org also offers the following services: HomeworkNow (as-needed online librarian assistance and tutors from 2:00 p.m. to Midnight seven days a week); ReadThisNow (an online readers advisory where librarians connect readers with their next good book); and, resources for information on business and finance, health and medicine, science & technology, and genealogy.