Enquire is an online reference service originally forming part of The People’s Network, but now sitting within the Reference Online section. The Enquire service is supported by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council , with the software and service management and day-to-day administration being provided by OCLC and uses the QuestionPoint software.
Most importantly Enquire is a self sustaining service paid for via subscription and delivered by the 80 participating public libraries in the UK. Enquire provides a full 24/7 service by working together with librarians from the United States OCLC's 24/7 network. Added value local services can also be provided for no additonal cost through the software, allowing you to add another permanent or ad-hoc communication medium for your communities. Such services include: Ask-an-Author, Ask-a-Chief Executive, Ask-a-Councillor, Ask-a-Genealogist, Homework help, Ask-a-Careers Advisory, Ask-about-internet security etc.
Participating library services make up membership of the Libraries Advisory Group. The service also has a Steering Group made up of library members, MLA and OCLC , which has responsibility for service review including quality assurance, procurement review, and policy formulation of the service. The Enquire service also has a Quality Panel that convene several times a year to review transcripts .