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Internet ResourcesLibraries on the Internet are part of a world-wide network of information.Resources on the WebThe 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 ALA:
Organizing Reference on the WebHow can you help guide users to good reference sources through your web site? RUSA Innovative Web-Based Reference Services offers examples of web-based technologies for user services to serve as models or starting points for similar projects at other libraries. Reference categories include Reference FAQ and Reference Menu Organization. Evaluating Internet as a ToolAs 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? Helpful sites are available that cover web site evaluation:
Additional information about evaluating Web resources is in this module on the Examining Resources page. Policies, Internet Filtering, CIPA, Deleting Online Predators ActStay aware of state legislation affecting Internet use in public libraries and requirements for CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act). Read OLC Government Relations legislative news updates or visit ALA's information pages about CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act). Look at the issues about the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA), which expands CIPA to include "social networking" web sites on ALA's information site about the issues of Online Social Networks. 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 in the state, or OPLIN . Also check with your supervisor to find out your library's policy on other electronic searching or fee-based searching. Major Point: Libraries provide access to information for the communities they serve. The best access for many users is on the Web.
1. If you have Internet access, try using the following two search engines to do exactly the same search and see what the differences are in the results, or use any two types of search engines from LITA Tool Kit for the Expert Web Searcher (described in sidebar).
2. Look at SearchEngineWatch.com to learn how search engines work, how they compare, and how they add sites.
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Searching blogs, RSS, Podcasts, and news sites
LITA Tool Kit for the Expert Web Searcher is now an ALA wiki! This
site describes and
evaluates different types of search engines and has new categories of podcast searching and blog
searching.
Libraries use the Internet to extend the reference collection - world-wide!
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You are here: OLC > ORE > Module 5 > Internet Resources |
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Overview
Interview
People
Strategies
Ethics
Resources for
government information: Federal at 