Currently, there are three possible portals (with three distinct logos) through which patrons can access KnowItNow24x7: www.knowitnow.org, www.homeworknow.org, www.readthisnow.org (plus one specifically for OhioLINK students called KnowItNow Academic: academic.knowitnow.org). The same librarians staff all the public queues, and there is no difference in duties (i.e., none of the staff are tutors). Since these web portals basically provide "different doors into the same building," we will be consolidating these services into one portal with one identity later this year or early 2010.

Consolidation will involve folding both HomeworkNow.org and ReadThisNow.org into KnowItNow.org and re-branding the service simply as KnowItNow24x7. This process will also involve a new logo for the service. The homeworknow.org and readthisnow.org web addresses will remain active but will re-direct to knowitnow.org. Instead of using distinct portals, the plan is to have patrons choose their "status" at www.knowitnow.org (e.g., high school student, non-student, etc.). KnowItNow Academic (i.e., academic.knowitnow.org) will remain as an OhioLINK portal but would be branded with the same logo and colors as the other services to link both portals together visually.

Benefits of consolidation and rebranding as simply KnowItNow24x7 with one point of access include:

• KIN24x7 would have one "door" and one official portal (www.knowitnow.org) for the public and K-12 students.
• It would provide the opportunity to re-introduce the service to Ohio citizens and librarians.
• It would refresh the look after 5 years of statewide service.
• Marketing the service would be streamlined, with only one "brand" and one standard logo and tagline on marketing materials.
• One portal and one brand for the public would minimize confusion and provide a consistent "brand" for both K-12 students and college students to establish continuity between high school and college and beyond.
• "KnowItNow24x7" does not imply specific homework tutoring assistance as may be inferred from "HomeworkNow".
• Readers advisory services would still be available as a queue in KIN24x7.
• Grassroots marketing efforts would be facilitated and streamlined with the same "brand" being marketable to all library patrons and students.
• Libraries would only need to place one logo on their websites to link to the service (freeing up valuable web "real estate").
• Consolidation would streamline updates and coding to the websites.

The consolidation is a work-in-progress and further information will be forthcoming as the process moves along. This update is a way to make everyone aware of the change. The plan is to have all this in place before the end of 2009 or early 2010. Feel free to contact support@knowitnow.org with any specific questions or to post comments on the Provider site.