Virtually Perfect!

"Libraries are not made; they grow."

--Augustine Birrell

This was a quote on one of the virtual library pages that I examined. It spoke to me. Libraries cannot be a static place (physically or virtually). They must grow, change and evolve, just as society does (and, therefore, the library patrons). In this interactive, digital era, libraries need to be interactive and digital too. Collaboration is vital and accessibility is integral. Welcome to the world of VIRTUAL LIBRARIES.

What are Virtual Libraries?

A virtual library is an "organized collection of digital information" as stated by Holy Gunn. This information can be information resources (i.e. indexes, journals, and reference materials) or information services (i.e networking and data management). Virtual libraries can contain many of the resources and tools that a physical library does. The Online Dictionary for Library and Information Sciences (ODLIS) defines virtual library as “a ‘library without walls’ in which the collections do not exist on paper, microform, or other tangible form at a physical location but are electronically accessible in digital format via computer networks”.

Other terms of a similar nature are “digital libraries” and “e-libraries”. However, according to Wikipedia (which does not house a “virtual libraries” definition… anyone ready to tackle that?) “The term virtual library was initially used interchangeably with digital library, but is now primarily used for libraries that are virtual in other senses (such as libraries which aggregate distributed content)”. The ODLIS also differentiated the terms by stating “the term digital library is more appropriate because virtual (borrowed from "virtual reality") suggests that the experience of using such a library is not the same as the ‘real’ thing when in fact the experience of reading or viewing a document on a computer screen may be qualitatively different from reading the same publication in print, but the information content is the same regardless of format.” While this is an interesting interpretation, I found that in many texts the terms were still being used interchangeably.


Benefits of a Virtual Library

There are a number of benefits to a virtual library, including accessibility and appeal to target audiences.

In my opinion, the primary benefit is accessibility. The information and resources are available immediately via the Internet. This allows for complete flexibility in location and time. Some sites are staffed (in some form) 24 hours per day as well. The location of the user becomes irrelevant… a shut-in in metro-Toronto, a business woman in London, a child homeschooled on a farm in the country, a university student relaxing at the cottage (hint, hint)… whomever, wherever, whenever. The location of the sister (physical) library, if applicable, also becomes irrelevant – world wide access!

People with disabilities can utilize virtual libraries in a meaningful way as well. They can utilize tools (“assistive technology”) that will enable them to access information, such as screen readers, speech recognition software, and modified keyboards.

Another outstanding benefit to virtual libraries is their appeal to a wide audience. In EDES 501 course discussions, we’ve discussed the rise of Internet usage and the impact of the future “digital native” generations. Digital natives will expect digital venues available to them and virtual libraries can fulfill this expectation.


Limitations of a Virtual Library

However, like anything, virtual libraries also have limitations including underdeveloped sites, user and librarian skills, and limits to accessibility.

To be utilized to their full potential, librarians/media specialists cannot be limited to the same mindset as at a physical library. They need to be open to the possibilities! The virtual library should not simply be an on-line representation of the resources available in the physical library. Additional resources should be available, spaces for collaboration, and links to external databases all go toward enhancing a virtual library.

The virtual library is only as useful as the user is skilled. The user needs to have the skills and knowledge to use it effectively. Users also need to know how to manage the information. (As class discussions have detailed, information management is a very important aspect of learning.) However, if care is taken to educate patrons on how to use such resources, this barrier can be overcome. As detailed in an article from the Connecticut Education Association Advisor, a number of local teachers are utilizing the Connecticut public library online system for class research. The results were two-fold. Students learned that such resources existed and how to use them, and they completed their class projects/learning. (Note: this article is a bit past dated from 2002. Hopefully this learning and utilization of resources has only continued to grow, but it demonstrates the potential for overcoming this barrier.)

As well as the users, librarians need to have the right knowledge and expertise to effectively maintain the site and/or those maintaining the resources. This would also speak to the issue of cataloguing the materials. Metadata creation is also a limit of a virtual library. Wikipedia states “the ability to find works of interest in large libraries is directly related to how well they are catalogued”.

Those developing virtual libraries also need to be aware of the “digital divide”. Without access to the Internet, the virtual library is useless. This leaves it inaccessible to many.

Virtual libraries are less appealing to kinesthetic learners… no physical, tangible book, and no pages to turn. It also limits those who like to read information in settings other than at their computers. (For example, I have found myself printing out pages, upon pages of information because it is not feasible for me to spend significant portions of my day at the computer. I need more flexibility.)


My Focus

As my “dream job” would be a teacher librarian in an elementary school, I was particularly interested in virtual libraries that catered to elementary school age children.

I had hoped to find an example of a “local” virtual library, but sadly could not. (Future project?)


Criteria -- What makes a good virtual library?

Virgil Blake, in his chapter in The Virtual School Library, identifies seven key points to a virtual library:

* A local collection of materials that meet the information needs of the library's primary clientele
* An Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) which identifies the holdings in the collection
* The means to access abstracting and indexing services in machine readable form
* Access to other databases to which the library subscribes
* Telecommunication links to other libraries' OPACs and related information resources
* Telecommunications links to other information agencies and their resources and services
* The ability to send and receive information and data electronically

I also would suggest that a good virtual library is not just an on-line list/database of resources, but needs a location or venue for interaction. This may be discussion places, workspaces, etc.

I also feel strongly that the site should be visually appealing.


Examples

I know that the Springfield Township High School library site was provided to us and therefore doesn’t count as a contribution, but I feel the need to highlight why I like it (and why so many couldn’t compare!). It is very visually appealing (to me and I assume to the high school students using it). It was laid out in a non-cluttered, organized, but fun, way. Perhaps most importantly, it contained a lot of very pertinent data (resources, links, information, etc.)

Many school websites contain basic school library info (how many books patrons can check out, library hours, etc.), but no virtual library. I found this disappointing.

When so many great virtual libraries were linked or referenced through our readings, it was a challenge to find other, unique ones!


Annotated Examples – The good, the bad, the ugly & WHY!

Greenwich Public Schools Virtual Library (Connecticut) http://www.greenwichschools.org/page.cfm?p=891
This is a very visually pleasing, useful site. It contains useful links to websites that support learning as well as on-line tools such as dictionaries, kid-friendly search engines, and encyclopedias.

North Elementary School Virtual Library Media Centre (Indiana) http://www.nobl.k12.in.us/media/NorthMedia/index.htm
A well-laid out site. All of the information was easily located and the site contained relevant information (links, tools, tips) for children (at school and at home), parents, and educators. The school subscribes to a number of databases such as World Book. I liked the inclusion of Grade Level resources (in a wiki), but found it a bit light on content and I hope it is still in its infancy with educators working toward adding more.

Birch Lane School Library (California) http://birchlane.davis.ca.us/library/Default.htm
This site contains a very simply designed home page. It provides access to a number of preselected websites. However it was very disappointing that some links didn’t work. What has gone wrong? Is nobody maintaining the site?

Penn Wood Elementary School Virtual Library (Pennsylvania) http://schools.wcasd.net/PennWood/Staff/library/index.html
School library site from an elementary school in Pennsylvania. Home page not as visually appealing as some, but does contain many links. I thought the inclusion of a 24/7 question/answer help desk with a “real librarian” was valuable. This seems to be a Pennsylvanian service that they subscribe to. (This is an effective collaborative solution to understaffed virtual libraries.) The site contains information for children, parents, and staff.

KY Virtual Library (Kentucky)
http://www.kyvl.org/
While this site isn’t as detailed as some, it does link users to a “digital library” with various collections (books, maps, journals, etc) and has a very user-friendly, kid-friendly research guide for children. (The Middle School and High School sections required a long in to view.)

Closer to home…
My local school division’s library website http://library.retsd.mb.ca/ This is simply an on-line representation of the physical libraries. While our school does subscribe to various on-line references and databases an effective vehicle for sharing that with our community has not been achieved. More work here is needed!


What’s Next?

The hunt continues! I’d still like to find a hidden gem – a virtual library that I haven’t discovered through my exploration. I’d like to continue to do search and, collaboration is key, I’ll check out my classmates’ finds!

As I noted, our school (and whole division, if I do say so myself) has not yet risen to this use of technology. I see the need to develop a site. This project would be rather far in the future though I would venture to guess!