Do You Use an Online Library?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by roysavia, Aug 6, 2003.

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  1. roysavia

    roysavia New Member

    Just out of curiosity, do any of you rely on online libraries to do research and/or assignments?

    I have been using questia.com and jstor.org to assist me in the preparation of my literature review. I also have student access to a number of e-books on UNISA's Library website.

    Most online libraries are limited by the number of references they can post online. I would say that approximately 40 - 50% of my research needs can be found online. I then have to rely on a B&M university library for the other 50%.
     
  2. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Florida State where I am getting my MLS ( MS in Library and Information Studies actually) has an extensive online library available to all students.

    Distance learning students may avail themselves of the services of any library in the Florida State University System.

    You may see what we at FSU can use: http://www.fsu.edu/library/search/index.shtml some of the fee based databases require authentication with our library card numbers but you should get a good overview. (fee based to the university not to the student)

    Also available to graduate students at no fee is article delivery and interlibrary loan.

    There is quite a bit of research done in distance learning student library usage. Florida at one time had a distance learning reference referral center serving all Florida distance learning students ( primarly from the State University System but accepting queries from any distance learner) at one place, the RRC at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Unfortunately budgetary constraints forced the RRC to close. Information about it can be found: http://www.rrc.usf.edu/ . It was fantastic and the librarians who worked there were intimately familiar with the needs of distance learners as well as the resources to which they had access.

    For graduate study a good library is indispensable however I find that using the online resources FSU makes available, in combination with my local public library frees me from the need to travel to campus. Now my program, Library Science, may lend itself more to study at a local library than perhaps Microbiology as one is more likely to find a librarian roaming the stacks and ordering the books than a microbiologist at the local public library. ( Although the microbiologist may indeed prove helpful in dealing with some of the more malodorous patrons - affectionately known as 'those damn stinking vagrants' ).
     
  3. dlkereluk

    dlkereluk New Member

    I am not near a B&M library that has the resources that I need for some of my classes. The same thing applies to courses that I have already taken.

    In my case, I have used Athabasca University's library quite extensively, either by accessing online journals and abstract, and by borrowing books that have been sent out to me by mail.
    I have also used online sources outside of AU that are not libraries, but that supply the information that I've needed to complete essays. My current ratio would be 30/70 (AU/non AU source).

    I might have more need for a B&M library if I was to go for a doctorate like you. Given the way that technology is rapidly evolving for DE institutions, the need for a B&M library for doctoral studies will diminish over time.

    Good luck to you in your studies, Roy.
     
  4. kevingaily

    kevingaily New Member

    I live the availability of having an on-line library, but aside from an occasional look-up I tend to go to two other venue's.

    One is my local Library, In the greater Cleveland area we have the Clevenet system and even if the handful or so of libraries in my county don't have what I'm looking for I can probably get it at another in the greater Cleveland area. I just order it and it comes to my library and they in turn contact me.

    Secondly, I have a nice little library of my own. I love to buy books I know I can use for reference and such. Since my area is Theology, I have quite a few Theological works, and it keeps growing. I do have some references on CD as well, like the Microsoft Encarta deluxe 2003 ed. It has links to gather more info on the web for further research.
     
  5. David Boyd

    David Boyd New Member

    Lexis and Nexis
     
  6. Brad Sweet

    Brad Sweet New Member

    On line Libraries

    Hi

    I use the Unisa library quiet a lot for researching articles in the online databases. I find the monographs are not as good as what I have collected myself over the years as I deal with Acadian education in Nova Scotia and the Maritimes.

    Since you are north of 49 there is an MSN group set up for Unisa students in Canada at University of South Africa-Canada ]University of South Africa-Canada[/URL] if it would interest you to speak with some of the other 500 Canadians who study with Unisa. There are also other students from regions around the globe who have become involved as well.

    Brad
     
  7. fnhayes

    fnhayes New Member

    The use of the NZ Government's online legislation library
    - www.legislation.govt.nz - is an intrinsic part of the Open Polytechic's course in Firearms Safety. Students are required to track down the NZ Arms Act and the NZ Arms Regulations from this internet library, and to answer an array of pertinent questions relating to Firearms Law in NZ.
    They are, however, encouraged to purchase hard copies of the Act and the Regulations, although they can also down-load both documents. :)
    Dr Duck
     
  8. roysavia

    roysavia New Member

    Re: On line Libraries

    Thanks for the info Brad!
    regards,
     

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