| For as long as can be remembered, libraries have | | | | and individual articles found on the web. The |
| offered mass amounts of free information that is | | | | search capabilities in online libraries often compete |
| easily accessible to the nearby community. This | | | | with search engines; however libraries have the |
| unlimited access has been an asset to | | | | upper hand. Searching in a library often yields |
| communities everywhere for research, | | | | results that are more relevant and focused than |
| educational and recreational purposes. Patrons | | | | those found on a normal search engine. |
| could go to the library and access all this | | | | The information searched on an online library is |
| information for free, keep it for a set time, and | | | | not limited to what is contained within the true |
| return it later. All seemed to work well and both | | | | library (if one is even attached to the online |
| library and patron were happy. | | | | library), but is open to a world of resources found |
| However, patrons encountered one large problem | | | | on the web. Material that was too expensive or |
| with libraries: their inability to be accessible at all | | | | otherwise inaccessible through traditional libraries is |
| hours of the day. When patrons needed to return | | | | made readily available on online versions. |
| a book late or pick up one early, they would | | | | Information from magazines, journals, newspapers |
| encounter the discouraging pictures of closed | | | | and more is searched to find exactly what the |
| doors. Enter the online library, a place that | | | | patron is looking for. Online libraries often work |
| contained all the same information as an actual | | | | with databases such as Gale/Thomson's InfoTrac |
| library with the added bonus of being accessible at | | | | Databases, Ebscohost Research Databases and |
| all hours of the day from any location. By simply | | | | infoUSA's Reference USA. |
| using their library cards, patrons could have | | | | Opening up the net to the information stored in a |
| access to these online portals. With the online | | | | library also presents the library itself with benefits. |
| library, a patron does not have to worry about | | | | No longer does storage space become an issue |
| finding their book or movie by closing time | | | | for a library because all its content is stored in |
| because no such time exists. Also, if the | | | | electronic form. Offering content online also allows |
| information a patron needs is contained within | | | | for better communication between the library and |
| another library, they do not need to wait for their | | | | its patrons due to e-mail capabilities. |
| library to send for it but can instead access it | | | | Do not be swayed that online libraries will leave |
| immediately on the web. However, if the patron | | | | librarians out of a job. Content must be monitored |
| wishes to view the information in hard copy form, | | | | to ensure its relevancy and sites must be |
| they can also order it and pick it up at their | | | | maintained by those knowledgeable in the library |
| library. | | | | field. Librarians are also used on some sites for an |
| Among the more popular of these online | | | | "ask a librarian" feature that allows patrons to |
| innovations are the Internet Public Library and | | | | e-mail a question to a librarian and get a response |
| Thomson Gale's AccessMyLibrary, two sites | | | | in a couple of days. Librarians are essential to |
| granting access to a number of libraries in one | | | | keeping online libraries going. |
| spot. These online libraries offer the same | | | | With the establishment of online libraries, patrons |
| resources as traditional libraries, but now the | | | | and libraries are kept happy and busy. Content is |
| information can be accessed quickly and easily. | | | | no longer denied due to over stocked shelves and |
| Patrons can search for books and media by title, | | | | doors are never closed to those eager to learn. |
| author, subject, genre, and even dewy decimal | | | | Going online has allowed libraries to reach across |
| system in some cases. Besides searching for | | | | states, countries and continents and grant millions |
| books, patrons can also search for newspapers | | | | access to a wealth of knowledge. |