Text-a-Librarian: 66746 newarklib

Via their cell phones, Newark residents can now ask questions and get information from the Newark Public Library's helpful reference staff. This service is especially good for questions that can be answered in short responses (160 characters or fewer). All you need is a cell phone enabled to send and receive text messages.

The service does not display your phone number to the librarian.

How do I text my question to reference librarians?

From your cell phone’s texting screen:

1. Set the message to go to 66746
2. Type newarklib, followed by a space, followed by your question.
   Here are some examples:
   — newarklib who are the U.S. senators from NJ
   — newarklib what computer classes are available at the library
   — newarklib do you have the 4th season of Lost on DVD
3. Send.
   You will receive an answer within one hour when the Library is open. If you text a librarian when the Library is closed, you will get an answer as soon as possible when the Library is next open. Regular library hours and Summer Hours

Text-a-Librarian is free except for your phone company's charges.

When you text a question to the Library, you permit the Library to answer by texting to the phone that you used to ask your question. Because they have to be short, text message replies from the Library to your cell phone may arrive as more than one message—each continuing from the previous text message. The Library neither charges you nor receives revenue from cell phone companies. Cell phone providers, however, generally charge customers for sending and/or receiving text messages. If you are not familiar with its charges for text messaging, consult your cell phone company for details about your contract.

Other options for getting answers to questions — Visit  Ask us 24/7