Go 24/7 with ReferenceNow Brainfuse’s Online Reference Service

The best search engine will always be a librarian.  So help your patrons find
the information they need, 24 hours a day, by offering them ReferenceNow
-- Brainfuse’s online reference service. Whether you provide your own staffing
through our innovative online platform, use our reference librarians, or select
a combination of both, ReferenceNow provides your patrons with instant
access to trained reference experts anytime, anywhere.

Instant access to reference experts

ReferenceNow provides patrons with instant access to a trained librarian
anytime: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – from any computer with Internet
access. With ReferenceNow, patrons get help finding the information they
need --- and even learn to become better researchers!

• Services are available for Spanish-speaking users.
• Transcripts of each session are made available to libraries and users.
• Libraries are provided the information necessary to evaluate Reference
  Now’s effectiveness.

Help patrons become better researchers 

By simply selecting “Research Skills Lessons,” our reference tutors help
patrons build critical research skills through live, one-to-one lessons that focus
on six key areas:

• Defining the research task
• Information seeking strategies
• Locating and accessing information
• Proper use and citation of information
• Synthesizing information
• Evaluating information for accuracy

Seamless Integration with other Brainfuse Services: ReferenceNow has
been designed to function as a stand-alone service or as part of a completely
integrated suite of Brainfuse Services; our live homework help, online writing
lab, academic skills building, and skills assessment services.

Unprecedented Research Power through an Advanced
Online Reference Room

With Brainfuse, reference interaction takes place using our advanced online
reference room. It is the most user-friendly, intuitive interface of its kind.

Powerful Tools: Our reference room allows instant communication between
librarians and patrons using freehand drawing, instant messaging, screen
printing, real-time file sharing, advanced math and science symbols, emoticons,
and Web-content sharing.

• Simultaneous Mark-Up of Web Content: Unlike other online
  reference services, ReferenceNow allows librarians and users to
  view and mark-up web content.
• Dynamic Workspace: Our reference whiteboard automatically
  expands to accommodate additional content from librarians and users
  --- so they do not have to tab through multiple screens.
• Easy Access to Features: The ReferenceNow whiteboard presents
  an integrated set of features for ease of use. All of our features are
  accessible within a singular whiteboard without cumbersome tabbing from
  feature-to-feature.
• File Sharing: Files may be downloaded using a secure file-sharing feature.
  Files are then shared and marked-up in real-time by both the librarian and
  the user.
• Print/Archive Past Sessions: Users may cut and paste session
  transcripts or print screen shots of the online reference room. Users
  may also use our session player to record and play back entire
  sessions for future reference.
• Librarian-to-Librarian Communications: Our unique reference
  room allows reference librarians to communicate with each other in
  real-time in order to obtain assistance in handling particularly difficult
  requests or to move a patron from one librarian to another.
• Customizable Databases: Librarians may create and easily access
  a database of approved websites and frequently-requested content.

Customize ReferenceNow

ReferenceNow gives you the flexibility to offer an online reference solution
that best suits the needs of your population.

ReferenceNow Experts

Our expert reference staff is available 24/7 to provide your patrons with
online reference assistance.  Our staff undergoes a rigorous selection and
training process, including:

• Thorough resume review
• Successful completion of online and situational tests
• Security and background checks
• Continual monitoring and review

Use Your Staff

Offer your own online reference services using your staff and our online
technology. 

Collaborative Staffing

Share reference staff with a group of libraries to extend hours and control
costs.

Hybrid Service

Use a mix of our staff and your staff to make ReferenceNow available to
patrons 24/7. 

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