Use of Libraries in Research
Contents
Library and its Types
Forms of Libraries
Importance of Library
Types of Literature/Source
Library Services
Digital Information Services
Library & Its Types
A library is a collection of resources in a variety of formats that is:
(1) organized by information professionals or other experts who
(2) provide convenient physical, digital, bibliographic, or intellectual access and
(3) offer targeted services and programs
(4) with the mission of educating, informing, or entertaining a variety of audiences
(5) and the goal of stimulating individual learning and advancing society as a whole.
Types of Library:
National library
Academic library
Special library
Research library
Public library
Children's libraries
Forms of Libraries
Physical Library
Electronic Library
Digital Library
Virtual Library
Hybrid Library
Electronic Library
A set of documents available through electronic means by the use of digital
technologies that allow for the retrieval, archiving, preservation, and
dissemination of those documents.
A Physical site and/or website that provides 24-hour online access to digitized
audio, video, and written material.
Digital Library
A library in which collections are stored in digital formats and accessible by
computers.
A digital library is a collection of documents in organized electronic form, available
on the Internet or on CD-ROM (compact-disk read-only memory) disks. Depending
on the specific library, a user may be able to access:
magazine articles
Books
Journals
Encyclopedias
Images
Sound files
Virtual Library
Virtual Library is a collection of resources available on one or more computer
systems, where a single interface or entry point to the collections is provided.
Library resources (e.g., indexes, journals, and reference materials) or online
reference services are available over the Internet.
Terms such as electronic library and digital library are used synonymously.
Hybrid Library
A library which is partly electronic and partly physical. It has a physical space
with both the physical and electronic resources and services.
Hybrid library is a term used by librarians to describe libraries containing a
mix of traditional print library resources and the growing number of electronic
resources.
Importance of a Library
Access to knowledge and information.
Creates essential link between the past, present and future.
Types of Literature/Sources
1. Published Literature
2. Unpublished
Literature
OR
1. Primary Literature
2. Secondary Literature
3. Tertiary Literature
Library Services
Circulation Service
Reference Service
Virtual Reference Service
Online Reservation of Books
Recommendation of library material
Current Awareness Service
Inter Library Loan Service
Photocopying / Printing Service
Library Services
Selective Dissemination of Information
Catalogue Searching
Web-Catalogue Service
Information Literacy Service
Digital information Literacy Service
Data Management Services
Information Literacy
According to the American Library Association,
“Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to 'recognize when information is needed
and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information”.
Published scholarly literature may include:
Scholarly publications (Journals)
Popular sources (News and Magazines)
Professional/Trade sources
Government Documents
Books / Book Chapters
Encyclopedias (General & Subject Specific)
Theses & Dissertations
Reports
Conference proceedings etc.
Digital Information Literacy
Digital Information Literacy is a relatively new concept, it is one of the major
components in Information Literacy. The digitally literate can confidently use,
manage, create, quote and share sources of digital information in an effective
way.
Digital Literacy as, a set of skills to access the Internet; find, manage and edit
digital information; join communications; and otherwise engage with an online
information and communication network.
In general terms, digital information literacy is an ability to use properly and
evaluate digital resources, tools, and services and apply it to their lifelong
process.
Digital Information Service
Transfer of information from originator to user
Deployment of DIS requires integration of several information technologies and systems,
For example:
Library Automation Systems
Students Information Services
E-learning Systems etc.
Functions of Digital Information Services
Provide access to a very large information collection(s)
Support multimedia content
Network accessible
Provide user – friendly interface
Support search and retrieval
Information available for a very long time
Also supports traditional library mission of collection development
organization, access and preservation of information
Advantages of Digital Information Services
Promote universal accessibility
Access to more information than is possible to physically acquire and maintain
Protecting rare books that are rapidly deteriorating due to overuse and poorstorage
conditions
The e-books and journals provide keywords, subject and various other searches
Provide multiple access and access through the campus LAN
Facility for the downloading and printing
Saving the cost and manpower required for publishing and bringing out new edition
One copy of the documents could be viewed by any number of persons simultaneously
Saving space which is required for physical documents
A tool for the preservation of heritage
Examples of Digital Information Services
Virtual Reference Service
Mobile Library Services
Access to Electronic/ Online data bases
Web OPAC
Access to Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Virtual Library Tours
Library Portals
Institutional Repositories
Social Media
Examples of Digital Information Services
Virtual Reference Service, initiated electronically where users uses computers or other
communication technology to communicate with librarians.
Tools: Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Google Talk, Viber, WeChat, Skype, WhatsApp, email.
Virtual reference can be
Asynchronous
Synchronous
Benefits?
Challenge?
Examples of Digital Information Services
Mobile Library Services- Some libraries have developed mobile applications
for Smartphone’s.
Examples of Mobile Library Websites
Adelphi University Libraries Mobile (AU2GO):
Website - http://m.adelphi.edu/library/.
Albertsons Library, Boise State University :
Website - http://library.boisestate.edu/m.
PENNLibraries, University of Pennsylvania:
Website - http://www.library.upenn.edu/m/.
University of California Riverside Libraries:
Website - http://m.library.ucr.edu.
Virginia Tech University Libraries:
Website - http://m.lib.vt.edu/.
Conclusion
Library and its Types
Forms of Libraries
Importance of a Library
Types of Literature/Source
Library Services
Digital Information Services
Any Question?
References
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2016). Research methods for business students. Harlow, England:
Pearson education.
Connaway, L. S., & Powell, R. R. (2010). Basic research methods for librarians. Oxford, England: Libraries
Unlimited.
American Library Association. (2020). Definition of a Library: General Definition. Retrieved from
https://libguides.ala.org/library-definition
IGI Global. (2020). What is Electronic Library. Retrieved from https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/electronic-
library/9444
IGI Global. (2020). What is Digital Libraries. Retrieved from https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/digital-
libraries/7657
IGI Global. (2020). What is Virtual Library. Retrieved from https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/virtual-
library/31714
IGI Global. (2020). What is hybrid library. Retrieved from https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/hybrid-
library/61503
Library & Information Science Network. (2020). Digital information literacy. Retrieved from
http://www.lisbdnet.com/digital-information-literacy/
