Archive for May, 2010

Libraries: Going Online

Friday, May 28th, 2010

For as long as can be remembered, libraries have offered mass amounts of free information that is easily accessible to the nearby community. This unlimited access has been an asset to communities everywhere for research, educational and recreational purposes. Patrons could go to the library and access all this information for free, keep it for a set time, and return it later. All seemed to work well and both library and patron were happy.

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.

Working in the National Meteorological Library

Monday, May 24th, 2010


Graduate trainee Claire Mills describes what it is like working in the National Meteorological library at theMet Office.

Australian and US academic library jobs: a comparison.: An article from: Australian Academic & Research Libraries

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Australian Academic & Research Libraries, published by Thomson Gale on June 1, 2007. The length of the article is 7045 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: The desire to investigate similarities and differences … More >>

Australian and US academic library jobs: a comparison.: An article from: Australian Academic & Research Libraries

Does anyone know what the tests for city library jobs entail?

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

I’m applying for a job at the libary in Davenport, Iowa and I have to take a test to determine my “attention to detail”. Anyone know what kind of questions are on a test like this?

Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010


Many people are out of work and trying to find a job. The Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center is a one-stop-shop to get help with your resume, computer skill building, searching the area for employment and even exploring different careers. And it is all FREE!

Library – a Place to Gain Knowledge

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Liabrary provide the facility to meet more people. This is very important, online, study or work part time. Liabrary give more knowledge. Opti-mother’s knowledge of foreign languages depends on the type of library work to be performed. Training opportunity at the library. . . In the traditional sense, the library is a collection of books and periodicals. You can refer to the private collection of an individual, but more often it is a great collection of information resources and a set of services that is funded and operated by a city or institution. In this sense, is not just a collection, but an organized collection, intended to be used, accompanied by a group of services for users. This collection and services are often used by people who choose not or can not afford to buy an extensive collection themselves, who need material no individual can reasonably assume that, or need professional help with your research. Design, write and test software. L’s dedicated staff of volunteers answered questions online reference for visitors of the IPL. In the traditional sense, a library is a collection of books and periodicals. You can refer to the private collection of an individual, but more often it is a great collection that is funded and operated by a city or institution. This collection is often used by people who do not or can not buy a large collection of them. The Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the investigative arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with over 130 million articles in approximately 530 kilometers of shelves. The collections include more than 29 million books and other printed materials, 2. 7 million records, 12 million photographs, 4. 8 million maps and 58 million manuscripts. Library Type LiabraryAcademic: These libraries are located on the campus of colleges and universities and serve primarily the students and teachers and other academic institutions. Some university libraries, particularly public institutions that are accessible to the general public, in whole or in part. School Libraries: Most public and private elementary and secondary schools have libraries designed to support the curriculum. research libraries: These libraries are intended for the purpose of supporting scientific research, and therefore maintain permanent collections and sought to facilitate access to all necessary materials. Research libraries are most often academic libraries or national libraries, but many large research libraries in their specific field hare, and some of the largest public libraries also serve as research libraries. Public libraries or public lending libraries: These libraries provide services to the public and make at least some of their books available for loan, so that readers can use at home for a period of days or weeks. Many public libraries also serve as community organizations that provide free services and events for the public, especially children. Special Libraries: All libraries fall into this category. Many private companies and public bodies, such as hospitals, museums, research laboratories, law firms and many government departments and agencies maintain their own libraries for use by its employees who perform specialized research related to their work. Special libraries may or may not be accessible to some identified by the general public. Branches of large libraries, academic research or specific topics are often called “special libraries” are usually associated with one or more academic departments. Special libraries are distinguished from special collections, which are branches or parts of a library for rare books, manuscripts and other similar materials. The use of library users liabraryMany potential, however, do not know how to use a library effectively. This may be due to the lack of early exposure, shyness or anxiety and fear of displaying ignorance. These problems led to the emergence of the movement of the collection of education, calling for educating library users. library education has been practiced in the United States since the 19th century. One of the early leaders was John Cotton Dana. Library education is closely related to the study of information literacy.