Need a quick answer to a question to settle that office debate? Need to know when Parkway Central Closes or when Northeast Regional Library opens? With the Free Library of Philadelphia's new text-a-librarian service, you can have your answers at your fingertips.
Simply text a message to 66746. In the message box, type “askfree” and a space, then your question. Example: askfree What are the hours at Parkway Central?
Text messages should be for quick, simple questions that can be answered in short responses. A librarian should answer within two hours and usually much, much sooner. Our average response time is under five minutes. In the orange ASK section of our home page, you can click on “Text” to see a longer explanation in the form of an FAQ.
The Free Library of Philadelphia does not charge the patron for this service, however, cell phone providers generally charge customers for sending and/or receiving text messages.
There are also other ways to communicate and ask questions. Of course, we would love for you to visit one of our many library
locations, check out books, and attend a
program. If you can't come in person, you can call our General Information Department at 215-686-5322 or call your local
branch.
Via the internet, the library offers a 24/7 chat service @
Ask Here PA. This service is designed to provide fast answers to your questions, using information found on the internet and in databases funded by the library. You can chat with a librarian, who will send you links to websites or articles contaning the information you requested. When Free Library staff is not available, a librarian from another library in Pennsylvania or even one from as far away as California will be there to assist you! If your question involves lengthy research or relates to your library record, the librarian will get you started and Free Library staff will follow up within two business days.
More involved research questions and comments can be sent to us directly via
email. A librarian will answer your question within two business days.
So text, chat, email, phone or visit! The Free Library of Philadelphia staff is waiting for all of your questions.
