However, patrons encountered one large problem with libraries: their inability to be accessible at all hours of the day. When patrons needed to return a book late or pick up one early, they would encounter the discouraging pictures of closed doors. Enter the online library, a place that contained all the same information as an actual library with the added bonus of being accessible at all hours of the day from any location. By simply using their library cards, patrons could have access to these online portals. With the online library, a patron does not have to worry about finding their book or movie by closing time because no such time exists. Also, if the information a patron needs is contained within another library, they do not need to wait for their library to send for it but can instead access it immediately on the web. However, if the patron wishes to view the information in hard copy form, they can also order it and pick it up at their library.

Among the more popular of these online innovations are the Internet Public Library and Thomson Gale’s AccessMyLibrary, two sites granting access to a number of libraries in one spot. These online libraries offer the same resources as traditional libraries, but now the information can be accessed quickly and easily. Patrons can search for books and media by title, author, subject, genre, and even dewy decimal system in some cases. Besides searching for books, patrons can also search for newspapers and individual articles found on the web. The search capabilities in online libraries often compete with search engines; however libraries have the upper hand. Searching in a library often yields results that are more relevant and focused than those found on a normal search engine.

The information searched on an online library is not limited to what is contained within the true library (if one is even attached to the online library), but is open to a world of resources found on the web. Material that was too expensive or otherwise inaccessible through traditional libraries is made readily available on online versions. Information from magazines, journals, newspapers and more is searched to find exactly what the patron is looking for. Online libraries often work with databases such as Gale/Thomson’s InfoTrac Databases, Ebscohost Research Databases and infoUSA’s Reference USA.

Opening up the net to the information stored in a library also presents the library itself with benefits. No longer does storage space become an issue for a library because all its content is stored in electronic form. Offering content online also allows for better communication between the library and its patrons due to e-mail capabilities.

Do not be swayed that online libraries will leave librarians out of a job. Content must be monitored to ensure its relevancy and sites must be maintained by those knowledgeable in the library field. Librarians are also used on some sites for an “ask a librarian” feature that allows patrons to e-mail a question to a librarian and get a response in a couple of days. Librarians are essential to keeping online libraries going.

With the establishment of online libraries, patrons and libraries are kept happy and busy. Content is no longer denied due to over stocked shelves and doors are never closed to those eager to learn. Going online has allowed libraries to reach across states, countries and continents and grant millions access to a wealth of knowledge.

How do Virtual Academic Libraries Work?

Most of the virtual libraries linked to universities offering distance learning programs work in a fashion similar to a physical library. Every student enrolled in any course with any particular college is given a Personal Identification Number, which the student needs to provide to the library manager along with the course details he/she is enrolled in for accessinglibrary resources through email. Most of the colleges give students a unique username and password thereafter, which can be used to browse library catalogs and locate specific articles.

A lot of universities have mutual information sharing, wherein if certain information requested by a student is not available in thelibrary resources of the college he is enrolled in, he can request it from a library resource of a partner college. The University of Houston for example, has a program called ILLiad (Interlibrary Loan internet accessible database) for requesting delivery of books and articles. Any student enrolled with the University of Houston can make a one time registery with this particular delivery format to receive books and articles in the future. Distance Learning andAcademic Libraries supporting this form of education have changed the way a traditional library works.

Requirements for Virtual Library Personnel

Virtual library personnel need to have an indepth knowledge of changing technologies and especially of the mediums that a distance education course employs. Understanding the workings of distance learning and academic libraries’ role in making it a success is hugely dependent on how the library personnel implement their knowledge. Library staff today are well versed with technology, and have been long time internet users. Moreover they are familiar with inter-library loans and document delivery and are masters at organizing information.

It is essential to realise that distance learning and academic libraries are partners, where the library staff can work together with the faculty to design online courses. Moreover, due to their prociency with computers, librarians can work as technology advisers for most of the faculty and students of adistance education course. And that is the shape of things to come.

It may surprise you that book reviews are a selection of the hardest things I have had to pen. Virtually everybody saw a useless book review in numerous papers that is all he is getting released. Plenty of the worst ones are essentially book outlines.

They tell everything that occurs in the book with no regard to the pleasure of the reader. Instead of tantalizingly with a few key facts, gauging the book, and letting you explore it if you need to, they really spoil it. Even though it is simpler to write this style of book review, it’s also sloppy writing.

When I teach my introductory composition classes, people frequently look for book outlines. I used to believe that this was just indolence, but now I see what’s actually going on. Lots of our kids are not truly learning to read like competent adults.

Instead of digesting and assessing a book themselves, they look to a book review or outline to inform them what it is about. They do not truly have the vital abilities to trust their own judgment, and they do not know the best way to raise questions. With this under consideration, I generally give some straightforward assignments at the start of my writing class. I do not ask them to scribble a book review or a book report, a creative essay or an original work of fantasy. I simply asked them to react to what they have read.

The sole rule is they are not permitted to debate the book with others or use outside sources. The entire point of this exercise is to loosen them up as writers. A lot of them find out when they find out how to open up a bit that they know books better than they suspected. This is step 1 towards turning into a good reader and a good writer.