Librarians in England, Canada and North America have joined forces to produce a new live service, answering people questions around the clock.

The People’s Network, Enquire , service is led by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and has pulled in Hampshire County Council and other library authorities around the globe to provide a continuous information service.

The web site is quick and easy to use. Simply log on to www.peoplesnetwork.go.uk, type in your name and e-mail address and submit your question, the magic begins. Within a few moments a new window opens and a librarian somewhere in the world sends the answer to your question through an instant message box.

According to e-Gov monitor librarians are aiming to turn the questions around as quickly as possible- although in some cases the question may be answered more fully later on that day or the next day.

Librarians in England run the service from 9am-5pm on Mondays-Fridays and librarians in the USA and Canada take over, answering queries the rest of the time.