Westfield Athenaeum Library
Ask Us!
- Before You Ask!
- What We Can Do
- What We Can't Do
- MassAnswers - 24/7 online chat reference
What is Ask Us! and how much does it cost?
Ask Us! is the library's information service. It is staffed by professionally trained librarians who provide assistance with common, everyday questions, consumer and health-related questions, research questions, genealogy and family history questions and more. Non-residents may be charged a delivery fee and copy fees relating to a request for information. Here's the fine print:
- The information service operates during the Westfield Athenaeum's regular operating hours.
- The librarian will make every effort to respond within 24 hours after receiving a question.
- The librarian who contacts you will explain the fees, if any, in advance.
- Lengthy research questions are beyond the scope of our Information Service. We can refer you to fee-based research services and professional genealogy and family history research services, if you need further assistance.
Would you prefer to talk with a real, live human being?
Ask Us in Person - Visit our Reference Desk and speak with one of our trained librarians in person.
Ask Us by Phone - Call us at 413-562-0716 during our regular library hours.
Ask Us by Fax - Fax your request to 413-568-0988.
Ask Us by Mail - Mail your inquiry to: Information Services Department, Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm Street Westfield, MA 01085.
Ask Us by Email - Send your question via email to reference[at]westath.org
Please include
- Full Name
- Date
- Email address
- Mailing Address
- Your Question- please be as specific as possible: You can expect a response within 5 days.
MassAnswers is an online chat reference service that lets you ask questions and get answers, in real time, right here on the Internet, from reference staff at some of the best libraries across Massachusetts and the country, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In most cases, you will be communicating with a librarian who does not work at your local library. They will not have access to your library card records. The librarian may be from another Massachusetts library, or outside our State at another library in the 24/7 network.
Once you are connected, please do not use your "forward", or "refresh" buttons, or you will be disconnected. Just click on the MassAnswers logo to get started!
Before sending your question, please read the following important information.
Have you:
- searched our online catalog to find the material you want?
- checked either our Indexes or Databases for guidance on available information sources?
What we can do:
- Provide the answers to questions on an enormous range of topics, or
- Refer you to other possible sources of information if we cannot provide the answer.
What we can't do:
- Conduct extensive research for clients.
- Conduct extensive family history research.
- Answer questions for quizzes or competitions.
- Provide loans or copies of material that is available through interlibrary loan.
- Provide advice on medical, tax, or legal matters.
How long it will take?
Short, simple requests can usually be answered immediately; other requests may take hours; most queries are answered within 5 business days. Very complex queries may take up to four weeks.
Ask Us! Outside the Westfield Athenaeum Service District:
- $15.00 delivery fee for information sent by mail or fax.
- 10 cents per page for photocopies.
- Fees are payable by check or money order to the Westfield Athenaeum.
- There is a limit of three articles and a maximum of 40 pages total per question.
Ask Us! from outside the United States:
- $25.00 delivery fee for information sent by mail or fax.
- 10 cents per page photocopy fee.
- Fees are payable by check or money order to the Westfield Athenaeum.
- There is a limit of three articles and a maximum of 40 pages total per question.
We look forward to working with you!
Questions? Call us: 413-562-0716.
