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Answerland Staff Toolkit

Help, information, and resources for library staff participating in Answerland, Oregon's statewide reference service.

Federal Funding Situation (as of July 2025)

Based on our current full award of LSTA 2025 funds, and contingent on our continuing ability to draw down Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from our federal funder, the State Library plans to pay for all costs associated with Answerland for the coming fiscal year from July 2025-June 2026: 

  • Our Virtual Reference Coordinator (through September 2026). 

  • LibAnswers software subscription and 24/7 Cooperative support. 

Based on our continuing uncertainty about LSTA 2026 funding: 

  • We are not recruiting new Answerland partner libraries. However, we can work on a case-by-case basis with libraries that may have a special situation. 

  • We are not recruiting new Answerland volunteers, though we may move forward with a few volunteers who are already in the application process. 

  • We are not looking at expanding Answerland service offerings. 

  • We are advising libraries to prepare contingency plans for chat reference in the event LSTA 2026 funding is not approved by Congress. 

We are committed to sharing more information as it becomes available, so that partner libraries have as much notice as possible for making any needed service adjustments or contingency plans. Feel free to reach out to Virtual Reference Coordinator Gesse Stark-Smith if you need assistance.