Online vs. Traditional Libraries

Traditional library stacks

There are many differences between traditional brick-and-mortar libraries and their online counterparts. Both are crucial for finding credible, trustworthy information but, depending on the application, one might be more suitable than the other.

Online Resources

With online reference tools, indexes and catalogs, all users of a library can access information at the same time. For libraries with multiple campuses or branches, this eliminates purchasing multiple copies of titles.

Online Reference

Online reference systems through chat, email and mobile applications allow library patrons to ask reference questions from wherever a laptop or smart phone can get a signal. Librarians can supply patrons with useful websites and resources in addition to researched answers in a short amount of time.

Links

Online catalogs, reference tools, periodicals and databases can link to other related websites and resources creating a more dynamic and efficient research experience for library patrons.

Browsing

When researching a topic or looking for leisure reading, browsing can sometimes yield results. Browsing through print art books is a process still taught to art students as a sound way to find images and artists they might want to emulate.

Technology

Traditional libraries, although they require patrons to visit them for most services, prove to be more reliable than those libraries and resources that depend on technology. Some library patrons do not have adequate home technology that allows them to use online tools, especially when images and videos must load. There is also the fact that not all holdings of a library are available online.

Archives

An older resource

Until all its documents can be scanned and put online for easier retrieval, traditional archival libraries are still crucial for the historical or genealogical researcher.

References

• Library Spot

Resources

• ipl2 (Internet Public Library)