Try Ask Homer,

Ask Homer, The University of Connecticut Librarie's electronic information and reference service, enables students, faculty and staff to submit simple, factual questions electronically and to receive an answer within 2 working days. Questions can be posted publicly to the Ask Homer web page www.lib.uconn.edu/help/askhomer.html or can be sent privately via email to askhomer@www.lib.uconn.edu

Typical questions directed to Ask Homer are related to library resources: questions about access to databases, the availability of material in the library, and requests for specific items. Others ask for advice on research, e.g., investigating the copyright status of a board game, finding historical stock quotes on the internet, or researching the statutory history of Connecticut policewomen.

When a fact or web site that answers a question exactly can be found, the effect is instantaneous gratification. But success is often determined by the preciseness with which the question has been asked. Unlike a face to face reference interaction, there is no "interview" in which to clarify the question or observe social cues. And email hasn't exactly inspired clear writing, or even proper grammar, for that matter! Nevertheless, if you've got a straightforward question and you think AskHomer can save you a trip to the library, give it a try.

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