In this section

FAQs

Asking questions

How does Ask Scotland work?
What types of question can I ask?
Can I ask questions in any language?
Can I ask a question even if I don’t live in Scotland?
Can I ask a question that isn’t about Scotland?

Ask Scotland answers

Who will answer my question?
How long should I expect to wait for an answer?
What if I don't get a reply to an email query?
Why hasn't my question been answered?
What if I don’t receive a confirmation email?

About Ask Scotland

What does Ask Scotland do?
What are the working hours of the Ask Scotland service?
Who manages Ask Scotland?
What will you do with my information?
Who should I contact if something goes wrong?

Asking questions

How does Ask Scotland work?

When you submit a question via the online enquiry form it will automatically be sent to the on duty librarian. You will then receive an email confirming the details of your question. The librarian will research your question and send a response, usually within 48 hours. Alternatively, you can use our chat service which will connect you to a librarian to ask your question in real time.

What types of question can I ask?

You can ask questions about any subject - whether you need information for a school project, university research or just general interest, Ask Scotland can help.

Can I ask questions in any language?

At present, the service only supports English questions and answers.

Can I ask a question even if I don’t live in Scotland?

Yes, Ask Scotland welcomes questions from anywhere in the world.

Can I ask a question that isn’t about Scotland?

Yes, Ask Scotland answers questions on any topic but we specialise in all things Scottish.

Ask Scotland answers

Who will answer my question?

All questions will be answered by trained library staff. For more information about participating libraries, see our about us section.

How long should I expect to wait for an answer?

We aim to answer all email questions within 48 hours but more detailed queries may take longer. The librarian who receives your question will get in touch to let you know if they need more time.

What if I don't get a reply to an email query?

Our librarians aim to answer all questions within 48 hours, however more complex queries may require more research. If we need more time, we'll let you know.

Why hasn't my question been answered?

If we are unable to answer your question for any reason, the responding librarian will send you an explanation.

We regret that askScotland cannot carry out detailed family history research. Please contact your local library for further guidance on genealogy and family history queries. Use our interactive map to find your nearest library.

What if I don’t receive a confirmation email?

Confirmation emails are sent automatically when we receive a question so, if you don't get one, your question may not have reached us. Please re-submit your query using the online enquiry form, ensuring that your email address is entered correctly.

About Ask Scotland

What does Ask Scotland do?

Ask Scotland is an online service that lets you put questions directly to Scottish librarians using email or instant chat. This means that you can access the knowledge contained in Scotland’s rich library collections without leaving your computer.

What are the working hours of the Ask Scotland service?

You can submit questions via the online enquiry form at any time of the day, seven days a week. Our librarians will be on duty from 9am to 5pm (GMT) Monday to Friday, when a live chat service will also be available.

Who manages Ask Scotland?

Ask Scotland is coordinated by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), the advisory body to the Scottish Government on libraries, and is staffed by librarians and library assistants in Scotland's libraries. Ask Scotland is a non-profit service, funded by the Scottish Government (through SLIC) and the participating local authorities. To find out more, view the about us page.

What will you do with my information?

Ask Scotland will not use the information you provide for any purpose other than answering your question. Your personal details will not be used for marketing purposes or passed on to anyone beyond the Ask Scotland network.