The Advantages of an Online Library
In a world where digital media has quickly become the leader in information systems, even old-fashioned libraries full of books and periodicals are quickly making the migration from library shelves across the world to online databases. Although the online medium is still considered new and may take some time to become as mainstream as the traditional library, it still offers distinct advantages over a physical library.
Other People Are Reading
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Format
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Changing the format of an online book can make reading easier. The user reading books and magazines at a traditional library is often at the mercy of the publisher's discretion in regard to font style and size. An unusually small print or font can make reading a book time-consuming and difficult. With online libraries, the media is often available in a variety of formats, including PDFs, Word and HTML. This allows the user to zoom in or out, change the size of the text and brighten or dim their computer screen for comfortable reading.
Searchable
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Searching for one line of text in a traditional book can be time-consuming. Paper books are great for curling up with next to the fire, but sometimes finding important information within them can be difficult. Searching for one line or paragraph can require multiple page flips and turns without success. Libraries that offer online texts also offer the ability to search through the text. Either using the find function on the computer keyboard or by using a built-in search feature of the library, a specific section of text within a book can be found instantly.
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Availability
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Online books are always available and never checked out by another user. In a real world library, there is typically one or two copies of a book available. If it is checked out by another library user, there might be a long wait for a particular book needed for research or study. Online libraries always have the material available, and it can be viewed regardless of whether one person is reading it or one thousand people are reading it. Additionally, online libraries offer access to rare books and texts that might otherwise be difficult to locate.
Flexibility
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Online libraries are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It's rare to find a library that is open 24 hours a day, but online libraries offer this unique advantage. A student can complete their research any day of the week, any hour of the day. In addition, online libraries are available at the user's fingertips, eliminating the need to drive or walk to the library.
Cleanliness
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Online libraries are never dusty like old books in a library can be. Online libraries are clean and free of the dust and mildew sometimes associated with the books in physical libraries. Reading through an online book will never cause sneezing, and an online newspaper will never leave an ink stain on the reader's hands.
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References
- Photo Credit library books image by Daughterson from Fotolia.com Acid etched Numbers from A-Z in Vector Format image by Andrew Brown from Fotolia.com book image by Pali A from Fotolia.com computer image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com Open 24 hours neon sign image by aideenm from Fotolia.com old dusty books image by Laura Lupton from Fotolia.com
