After expanding in-person “grab and go” browsing hours last week, the Boyle County Public Library is adding another service for its patrons. 

Beginning Monday, July 27, the library will offer a live chat service on its website, BoylePubLib.org. The chat will be available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The new service will provide the public with an additional channel of communication with the library. Reference Librarian Jamie Helle says that patrons can use the chat to ask any questions they would normally ask in-person or on the phone. 

Located at the top of the homepage on the library’s website, the chat is a useful tool people can utilize to learn about programming and events. It can be used to get help navigating the library’s online resources collection and to get quick answers to research questions. The live chat will be active whenever the library is open.

Improving accessibility is a priority in library services. Library staff are excited that the chat will provide an effective way to communicate in real time with their deaf and hard of hearing patrons, as well as with those patrons who cannot use or who prefer not to use phones and would thus benefit from a chat service.  

While all questions can be handled via the chat, certain services — such as curbside pickup requests — will continue to be processed by phone: (859) -238-7323 or by email: library@boylepublib.org. 

Regardless of the question, patrons are encouraged to use the chat if that is their preferred method of contacting the library. Staff will be able to answer questions and connect patrons to the department or resource that will best meet their need.

The Boyle County Public Library serves the city of Danville and the surrounding communities, and is actively committed to enriching the lives of its patrons. The library is located at 307 West Broadway in Danville, KY.