Northwest Regional Library System

Northwest Regional Library System
 Headquarters: Bay County Public Library
898 West 11th Street Panama City, FL 32401 
Tel: (850)522-2100 Fax: (850) 522-2138

Bay County, Florida

Reference Questions

  • Ask a Librarian  is a virtual reference service. We can give answers to  brief factual questions, or suggest resources or search strategies.  If you use e-mail, we will reply to you within three days, usually sooner.  Please follow these guidelines:
    • State the question as specifically as possible
    • Describe briefly the purpose of your request (a high-school report, a college paper, background information).
    • If you have a deadline, tell us the date by which you need the information.
  • E-Mail: You can email us through Ask-a-Librarian or directly to referencedesk@nwrls.com
  • Telephone: We can answer questions over the phone during our open hours. Just call 522-2107.
  • Instant Messenger (AIM): Our username is bayrefdesk. If you already have an IM account, add us to your buddy list and then start a chat with us. If not, download AIM express from www.aol.com and follow the instructions to choose a username; enter bayrefdesk in your buddy list.

Other services from the Reference Department include :

  • Web Links --  a directory of quality Internet sites assembled  by the Reference Department and updated each month. Includes  Ready Reference sites. 
  • Databases -- a collection of research databases, accessible from  computer workstations in the library, with some available from home.   Includes business information, biographical and historical information, readers' advisory, and indexing and full-text for magazines and newspaper articles including our local Panama City News Herald.
  • Guide to Using Electronic Databases  Suggestions for which databases to use.
  • Catalog instruction in the library for those who request it.
  • Internet Workstations at all NWRLS libraries for public use. (Please read our policy)
  • Directory of Community Organizations in Bay County.
  • Computer Classes -- short  workshops given  in the main library. View the schedule and then call to make a reservation. You must have a library card, but there is no charge.
  • Interlibrary Loan service is provided for materials not owned within the Northwest Regional Library System. This service is free and available through all libraries. If you wish to order online, please use our ILL Form.