Ask a Librarian: Frequently Asked Questions

What are some good sites to help with general questions?

Amazon Bookstore - http://www.amazon.com

Britannica - http://britannica.com

Edmund’s Auto Guides - http://www.edmunds.com

Fodor Travel - http://www.fodors.com

Historical Stock Quotes - http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/historical

Hoover’s Companies & Industries - http://www.hoovers.com/free/tools/bcl

Information Please - http://www.infoplease.com

Mapquest - http://www.mapquest.com

Stockmaster - http://www.stockmaster.com

Switchboard Telephone - http://www.switchboard.com

Zip Code Directory - http://www.framed.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/lookup_zip+4.html
 
 

What if I need an answer to a medical problem?

Medical questions are beyond the scope of the Online Reference Service. If you have a medical problem, you should consult a doctor. A librarian cannot give medical guidance or opinion. The resources below may be able to assist you:

American Medical Association - http://www.ama-assn.org

HealthAnswers - http://www.healthanswers.com

HealthFinder - http://www.healthfinder.gov

RxList - http://www.rxlist.com
 
 

What if I need an answer to a legal problem?

Legal questions are beyond the scope of the Online Reference Service. If you have a legal problem, you should consult a lawyer. A librarian cannot give legal guidance or opinion. The resources below may be able to assist you:

American Bar Association - http://www.abanet.org

Better Business Bureau - http://www.bbb.org

Findlaw - http://www.findlaw.com

Florida Bar - http://www.flabar.org

Martindale-Hubble Law Directory - http://www.martindale.com
 
 

What if I need to trace my ancestors?

Genealogy questions are beyond the scope of the Online Reference Service. The area offers several locations to help with genealogy. These include:

The Family History Center at Greenway Blvd. & Lake Emma Road, Lake Mary, 407-333-0137

The Family History Center at 45 E. Par Street, Orlando, 407-895-4832

Orange County Public Library at 101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 407-425-4694

You can also try the information on the library’s Intenet Guide under Genealogy. A few sites are listed below.

Cyndi’s List - http://www.CyndisList.com

Ancestry.com - http://www.ancestry.com

Genealogy Sites on the Internet - http://www.ckls.org/~jswan/WWWSITE3.HTM
 
 

How do I know if I will receive an answer?

The weakest link in electronic communication is an e-mail address. We cannot reply to your question if you have given an invalid e-mail address. There are two reasons why replies to questions do not reach the destination:
 

• The reply e-mail address has been entered inaccurately on the inquiry form.
• The e-mail is part of a local network or behind a firewall.

Please check your e-mail address and include a working e-mail address so you will be assured that you will receive an answer to your question.
 
 

Can I ask a question if I’m not a Seminole County resident?

All questions will be answered but we may not be the best people to ask for information which is very specific to a country, state, county, city or town outside of Seminole County. If you do not live in Seminole County, a library closer home is more likely to be able to help you. Other services you may find useful include:

Florida Electronic Library Ask a Librarian - http://www.askalibrarian.org

The Internet Public Library’s Reference Center - http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/ref00.00.00

Yahoo’s Ask an Expert - http://experts.yahoo.com

For K-12 students, the American Association of School Librarians’ KidsConnect inquiry service - http://www.ala.org/ICONN/AskKC.html 
 
 

What do I need to qualify for a library card?

Identification with your name and current Seminole County address is needed to obtain a library card.  In lieu of a driver's license, you can bring a checkbook, lease agreement, or another piece of business or official correspondence such as a bill.
 
 

How do I obtain an employment application?

There are various ways to obtain a Seminole County employment application.  You can pick up an application at any Seminole County Public Library branch , or the Seminole County Human Resources Department, 3rd floor, 1001 East 1st Street, Sanford.  On the Seminole County website you can print a copy of the employment application by clicking on "Employment" then click on "click here to download a printable Seminole County Job Application".  Current jobs are listed on the Seminole County website as well as the County's Career Opportunity Line at 407-665-7816.