Wigan's library service has all the answer thanks to a revolutionary new computer programme that's proving to be a big 'hit' with curious web-browsers across the borough. Xreferplus is a state-of-the-art digital reference library that was launched in the libraries last month. And it's already proving that there are plenty of people out there who have a thirst for knowledge. In October alone there were 1,207 visits to the sites with hundreds of searches.

The most popular reference resources used by members of the public were the Columbia Encyclopaedia, the Bridgeman Art Library Archive and the Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary.

The kind of things the public has been finding out about have been pretty varied, everything from the Arthurian Legends, hand washing, glandular fever and Niagra Falls.

Xreferplus is a fully searchable, browsable information source. It has access to more than 100 reference books with 80m words and thousands of images. In fact, it would take the average person 364.8 years to collect the information contained within its memory banks. The beauty of the system is that you can use it from your home, office or anywhere you have access to a computer. Just log on to www.wlct.org/Libraries/libraries.htm

You will need to register as a library member before you can use the system but after that you're ready to go - and it's free. Wigan's Cabinet Member for Culture Cllr Brian Baldwin urged everyone with a thirst for knowledge to 'book' his or her ideas up and use the library service. He said: "Finding the answer to a question can sometimes be a problem, where do you get the information from? The best place to start in the library where the staff will be pleased to help you. Whatever you need to know our libraries are a powerful information resource ready for you to use."

The guardians of the borough's books have cast off the stereotypical image of stamping cards and saying 'shh!' a lot. The 21^st century librarian is a mine of information and is always there to help, no matter what the question.

Xreferplus is just one fact-finding tool available through the library service. Others include Information Direct is another and telephone information service.

If you have any questions about the services provided by Wigan Libraries you can call the Wigan Information Service on 01942 827619 or Leigh Library Information Service on 01942 404557. Alternatively you can e-mail questions to Wigan.Library@wlct.org or Leigh Library at Leigh.Library@wlct.org

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Notes to Editors

For more information contact Wigan Libraries Information Co-ordinator Jean Lamb on 01942 404126.