Internet sites
From SLNSW
Contents |
Internet Resources
Libraries on the Internet are part of a world-wide network of information.
Resources on the Web
The Internet is a direct source of information for your
patrons and a tool for you to use when assisting them. Many library resources are provided
for patrons on the Internet, locally or through state-wide systems.
Some libraries provide service to patrons from the Web as if
it were another branch - a branch patrons can visit without leaving home! Reference service in some areas is provided with real time Internet access or via email. Libraries serve the information needs of communities, and growing numbers of people in our
communities want 24/7 access to information, from wherever they happen to be!
What's Recommended?
Web sites may provide content, allow you to search for useful sites, or serve as an index to the content of other sites. Many libraries provide organized lists or databases of recommended sites for staff and patrons. The following examples of lists of recommended reference web sites are from two major Austalian libraries and the ALA:
- Electronic Resources, State Library of New South Wales, a subject directory of websites and databases, ranging from Aboriginal Australians to Travel. You can limit your search to websites, if you wish.
- eResources ,National Library of Australia, an extensive listing of online resources, including many websites, also in subject directory form
- Great Web Sites for Kids, from ALA's Association for Library Service to Children.Provides a good range of evaluation criteria. Has a subject directory, recommended Web reference resources for kids and parents, and features a Web Site of the Month
Additional resource sites:
- ipl2 has many useful sites organized by traditional library categories.
- Pandora, National Library of Australia is an extensive archive of electronic resources, including websites, about Australia, or by Australian authors.
- Refdesk has quick facts and indexed information.
- Research Guides, State Library of New South Walesinclude many websites and website lists, amongst other resources, for a range of topics including Business, Health, HSC English and Law.
- FindArticles.com contains articles dating back to 1984 from several hundred magazines and journals. Search for articles by topic: Arts & Entertainment, Automotive, Business & Finance, Computers & Technology, Health & Fitness, Home & Garden, News & Society, Reference & Education, and Sport.
And, yes, it's okay to START with an encyclopedia, especially on a topic unknown to you, even online. In Wikipedia, look for articles with well-documented resources (Notes).
Evaluating Internet as a Tool
As technology develops, one of the primary roles of libraries will be to help patrons discern the quality, accuracy, and value of the information they find. For example, trying the same search with several search engines will yield different results. How can you tell which is the most accurate? See tips in sidebar and review information about evaluating Web resources on the Examining resources page.
Legal and Service Standards for Internet Provision
There are a number of online resources you can consult to obtain this information. Here are four of the most relevant:
- Oz Netlaw."a community based legal practice that provides free legal information about internet and e-commerce related law." Has a link to all major Australian legislation governing the Net.
- Australian Communication and Media Authority:Online Regulation, a webpage with links concerning the "co-regulatory" scheme for web content administered by ACMA designed to address "community concerns about offensive and illegal material on line."
- Living Learning Libraries: Standards and Guidelines for NSW Public Libraries, a major document from the Library Council of NSW. In relation to Net services in public libraries, the main parts are Standard (S)15, p.17 "Provision of multiple public Internet workstations" and Guideline (G)12, pp.43-45 "Information Technology" which includes suggestions about maximising web access for library users through their public libraries.
- Free Internet Access in Public Libraries: Law and Policy a Library Council of NSW guideline document which strongly argues the case for free access to the net for NSW public library users.
Check with your supervisor about the policies regarding
Internet use in your library and find out how staff use web sites from your library, from
other libraries, including Public Library Services, and from non-library organisations.
Major Point: Libraries provide access to information for the communities they serve. The best access for many users is on the Web.
Exercise
1. Choose a topic of interest and search for information in at least two different search engines. Do the search exactly the same way in each search engine. Were your results the same?
- You can use Infopeople.org Best Search Tools Page, a search form that serves as an interface to several search tools on one page.
2. Look at SearchEngineWatch.com to learn how search engines work, how they compare, and how they add sites. Answer 5
