askON Ask Ontario's Live Chat

Chat live with askON’s expert staff and get help finding answers to your questions.

askON is an interactive information and research service for Ontarians offered by public libraries in the province. We answer questions on a wide range of subjects. Let us use our skills and experience to help you find better information than you could on your own.

The askON chat service is jointly staffed by twenty-two Ontario public libraries. You may be chatting with askON staff from a different library. We accept questions from users of other Ontario libraries and from individuals outside Ontario but we may, depending on the question and staff availability, refer you to your local library.

There is a short survey at the end of your chat session. Please provide us with your feedback so that we can enhance, expand and improve askON.

Service Hours
Chat with askON staff Monday through Thursday, from 12:30pm-8:30pm and Friday through Saturday 12:30pm-4:30pm. askON will be closed on regular holidays and when public libraries are normally closed. When the service is closed you can elect to send an email question to your library.

Service Level
Chat reference sessions often take 10-15 minutes. In certain circumstances, you may be referred to another institution, source or contact with the required local expertise, but we will try to provide you with information to get you started. Certain restrictions will apply to licensed databases for non-library card holders.

Privacy
askON collects only the minimum amount of information from visitors necessary to provide effective service. At the end of your chat you can print a transcript of your session or request it by email. Your email address is not stored and will not be used for any other purpose.

Learn more at www.askON.ca.