Richard L. Berke, Assistant Managing Editor of the New York Times, is answering questions from readers all this week. One of the Q&As struck a familar chord with me:

Homework Help

Q. Can you please tell me how to search for articles in the papers when it [is] sent to you like this? All morning I’ve been trying to locate the articles from the Post still nothing happen. This is a part of [an] assignment. mhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/10/AR2006091001158.html  –Sharon Holquin

A. I’m all for helping students with their homework. But here’s a lesson for you: Don’t ask an editor from The New York Times to lend a hand so you can access the Washington Post Web site. I’m not asking that you only read the Times. By all means, read as much as you can. But since you’re already here, why not take a look at a few of our articles? I mean, you’re already on our site and everything.

What librarian hasn’t had someone ask for an article, book, information, whatever from some other library when they’re talking to you?