What is the e-answers Service?
An easy way to get brief answers to factual questions via e-mail. We can also direct you to relevant Web sites and databases to help you with your research and give you other suggestions on where you can find the information you are seeking.
How Does the Service Work?
Ask us a question using the online form provided and receive your answers via email. We can answer up to five questions per person per week.
Every effort will be made to provide you with as prompt a response as possible. Please allow us up to two business days (Mon-Fri) to respond. Sometimes we may need to take longer to fully answer a question. When this happens we will send you a progress report.
For faster service or if you have a deadline, you can call the library directly during open hours. If you have a question that involves in-depth research, we may suggest that you come into the library.
Who Can Use this Service?
We will take questions from anyone. However, this is a new service for the Oakland Public Library and while we are not now limiting the service to questions from our immediate area or to Oakland Public Library cardholders, we reserve the option to change the terms of this service. People from outside our Oakland, Piedmont, and Emeryville service area may find that some questions may be better answered at their local libraries.
For access to some of the databases on our Web site, you must have an active Oakland Public Library card .
What if I don't have an e-mail address?
There are many commercial Web sites where you can obtain a free e-mail account.
Filling out the Form:
Enter your question using the e-answers Form.
- Please explain your question as specifically as possible, providing as much detail as you can.
- If you have already searched resources, please tell us what you used.
- Please fill out the "Purpose of Information" section of the form-that will help us identify the resources that are best for you.
Examples of the Kinds of Questions We Can Answer
Who was the first mayor of Oakland?
How can I access your e-books?
Do you have the address and phone number for the local chapter of Toastmasters?
Does your library have free homework help?
How do you spell …….?
Where can I find a short biography of Isadora Duncan?
Examples of How to Ask a Question:
We need to know your exact question. See the examples below for tips on asking a question.
When were the Peloponnesian Wars and how long did they last?
is better than
Do you have anything on the Peloponnesian Wars?
Can you tell me what California Sea Lions feed on?
is better than
Do you have any information on pinnipeds?
What products does Clorox manufacture?
is better than
What do you have on Clorox?
More About Oakland Public Library
Hours and Locations
Library Cards and Borrowing
How to use the Library Catalog, Place Holds & Renew Books
Calendar of Library Events
The Oakland Public Library's Databases - FAQ's
HomeWork Help
Sites selected by Oakland Public Library's Childrens' Librarians
Links to web sites and electronic resources with magazines.
Family History/Genealogy Resources
Local Genealogical Resources and Starting Points
Legal Information
The following Web sites may be helpful
Oakland Public Library Lawyers in the Library Program
Alameda County Law Library
Law Topics (Librarian's Index to the Internet)
FindLaw (has lawyer locator)
We also have an extensive collection of Nolo books and other legal resources in the Science/Business/Social Science at the Main Library.
Medical Information
Medical Information (sites recommended by Oakland Public Library's Medical Librarian)
Information about Oakland and the Bay Area
Current Local Guides and Information
Local History
Searching the Web
What are the best searching tools?
Infopeople's Best Search Tools
Search Engine Links
|
