Sunday, March 27, 2011

Computer Access, Online Databases, Digital Collections, Resource Sharing, Downloadable Books, eReaders, and Social Media @ the Library

Lester Public Library, Two Rivers, Wisconsin

Technology plays key roles for libraries. (Herald-Times-Reporter, 3/26/2011)

Excerpt: Technology has changed the way local public libraries look and conduct business today. The old card catalogs have gone the way of online card catalogs.

As a result, libraries now offer many computers for its patrons to use. With the advent of online databases and the Internet, many of the computers offer Internet access.

Library staff has shifted to help patrons search the Internet and help the public learn how to use the computer, various software and access online resources. They assist patrons with online job searches and online job applications.

"The library staff needs to be able to help the public distinguish between good information and bad information on the Internet," said Cherilyn Stewart, Manitowoc Public Library director. "This is done through one-on-one teaching."

She noted another way of doing that is through the library's website "by using our website to link to reliable information sources." Patrons can access the library's website at home if they wish, with links to various resources
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