Who can use AAQ?

Ask A Question serves the information needs of Alberta residents as well as patrons from participating post-secondary institutions, mainly students and instructors. Participating libraries have also agreed to answer questions from outside of Alberta when they are able. AAQ reserves the right to refer clients who are not Alberta residents and who are not asking a question related to Alberta to a virtual reference service closer to where you live.

What questions will AAQ answer?

For broad topics and assignments, we will direct you to resources, such as web sites, database articles, print material or other agencies where you are likely to find information on your topic.  For narrow or simple questions we will provide you with an answer that is accompanied by supporting resources.

Can I ask Genealogy questions?

We accept reference questions that relate to tracing family history in Alberta. We also accept questions from Alberta residents who need genealogy research assistance. For all other types of genealogy research, we encourage you to visit your local library or consult a genealogy society. If your question requires in-depth research we will offer suggestions for web sites, books or agencies that can help you.

How do I ask my question?

Ask A Question requires you to submit:
Your question – Please ask your question as fully as possible. Sometimes questions mean different things to different people. Providing us with as much information as you can will help us find resources appropriate to your question.
Your email address – We need your email address so that we can email you your answer. Please double check your email address to make sure it is correct before you submit your question. If you haven't received a response within 4 days of posting your question, search the archive.

If you live in Alberta, we also request:
your postal code – This helps us to direct your question to the most appropriate public library. If you need to request information from a particular library that is not where you live, please include the name of the library in the body of your question.
Or
your educational institution and your program of study – To direct your question to your school’s library and helps the library staff understand what type of information you need to answer your question.

Other questions may be asked to help us clarify what you are asking and the level of information you are looking for.

Why does AAQ need my email address?

We only use your email address for the purpose of sending an answer to you. We do not publish or disseminate your personal information or keep it for any other purpose.
Please double-check your email address when you register. If you submit it incorrectly, we cannot reply to you.

Please note that a valid email address is required in order for you to receive the answer to your question. If a valid email address is not provided, Ask A Question reserves the right to provide only a brief answer to your question. 

Where is my answer?

There are three reasons why customers do not receive our answers via email:

1. Most commonly is because the reply email address hasn't been entered accurately on the registration form. Please check our archive after 4 days to view your response.
2. Email can also bounce if you are in a local network or behind a firewall that does not permit incoming email from our system.
3. Your email account is blocking our email address due to security controls. Please ensure that the email address: aaq-admin@talonline.ca is added to your safe list.

What if I have another question?

Please do not reply to any email you receive from Ask A Question. If you want more information on your answer or have another question, please use Ask A Question again to submit another question.

Who answers questions?

Trained reference staff at participating public and post-secondary libraries throughout Alberta provide answers through the Ask A Question service.

How long does it take?

Upon receipt of your question, the service will send you an e-mail verifying that we have received your question. If you are asking a question of our public libraries, you will receive a response within 48 hours. If you are asking a question of our post-secondary libraries, you will receive a response within 24 hours. Questions are often answered much more quickly than our stated response times. If we are unable to provide a full answer to your question within the stated time, we will provide you with an initial starting point and provide follow-up information up to 72 hours after you have posted your question.

Please check your spam folder if you don’t see any email from Ask A Question.

What will AAQ not provide?

• Advice on legal, medical or financial concerns
• Materials by fax or mail
• Detailed research
• Advice on matters of a personal nature or predictions of the future
• Answers to homework questions (although we will help you on your way)

What is in the AAQ Archive?

Most questions submitted to Ask A Question will be saved automatically in the searchable Q & A Archive 4 days after being submitted to Ask A Question. We reserve the right to determine if a question is not appropriate for archive purposes. If you provide personal or identifying information within the context of your question, it will be removed before entering the public archive. We do not require or collect personal information such as your name or phone number. Items will remain in the archive for six months when they will be removed because the information (especially internet based information) may become dated or the links may no longer work.

Can I evaluate AAQ?

Please give us some input! Along with our response, we will give you a link to a very short survey form. We would appreciate it if you would take a moment to send us your comments on our service. The information you give us will be used for statistical purposes only and will tell us how we are doing. Your comments will help us to improve the Ask A Question service.

Who can I contact regarding AAQ?

If you have questions or comments about the Ask A Question itself or any of its policies, please contact the administration office at aaq-admin@talonline.ca.

Please DO NOT use this email address to submit your reference or research questions. You will be redirected to the Ask A Question service.

Back to Top