The library of the past, where librarians run around shushing everyone and the physical space limiting access to books or magazines that will fit on the shelves, is gone. Libraries were some of the first to enter the technology world by computerizing their card catalog.
They have continued to improve their technology services with online inter library loan(ILL), online reserve and renewal of checked out materials, access to subscription only online databases, and some actually provide librarian services 24/7 through online access.
Computers in the Library
Computer technology is available at the library. Libraries offer patrons the use of computers in the library. These usually have Internet access as well as some word processing and spreadsheet software. Various other software applications are also available. Librarians are also available to help when the net just won’t provide the desired information. Many libraries offer computer training classes as well.
The Library Website
The library home page is a wealth of reference and research help. It usually provides a calendar of library events and links to other services offered. In addition it will contain a link to the library references and resources. Every library has a different approach but learning to navigate the site is more than worth the time required to learn the links.
Here is a partial list of the resources that might be found at the library website.
- Library services like checkout and renewal, assistive services, meeting spaces
- The library card catalog or a regional card catalog (group of libraries in a given region)
- Links to online databases and specialty websites
- Access to library staff through email
- Access to research assistance 24/7 from trained librarians
Back to the Books
The card catalog no longer consists of a cabinet filled with little 3x5 cards containing data. Computer technology allows all this data to be stored on computers. Not only do most libraries provide access to the local library but many of these card catalog databases now contain book information from dozens of libraries in the geographical district or region. If a patron is not at the library he can reserve the book from his home or office. When the book arrives he is informed by email. Renewals can also be performed without revisiting the library.
Resources Unavailable to the Average User
Many helpful resources are available on the Internet—but only for a price—an additional price beyond the standard Internet Service Provider’s monthly charge. The prices may be for monthly subscriptions or a monthly fee plus a per minute or per reference charge. By using the library website as a starting point, the patron may access this information through their home computer (frequently requires library card number), or on computers at the library itself. Here are just a few of those reference sites.
- Standard and Poor’s NetAdvantage (Financial)
- Infotrac (Subject searches of hundreds of magazines with full text of many articles)
- HeritageQuest (Genealogy)
- LexisNexis Library Express (Government and elections)
Contact the Library and Staff
Library employees have been providing research assistance at the library and by telephone voice for decades. Now they can offer the same type of help electronically. Patrons can contact the library for assistance by using email, texting or instant messaging. A directory of the library administrators, department coordinators, and sometimes all staff are available. If a question comes up after hours a message can be sent to the appropriate library staff and a reply will soon follow without leaving the confines of home or office.
Ask a Librarian
This service is perhaps the best of all the new services offered by many libraries. This allows a library patron to contact a reference librarian (human being) at any time of the day or night, 365 days of the year through various chat services made available by the libraries. In Illinois it’s called AskAwayIllinois and in Pennsylvania it’s Ask Here PA. Currently, forty-eight states have some service like this.
AskAwayIllinois has a chat room approach. Responses take a little time because the librarian is online in real time and may be researching your question with databases not always available to the general Internet population. Here is a transcript of a conversation between a patron and a librarian using AskAwayIllinois.
Chat Transcript: Is Ask a Librarian available nationwide or just in Illinois?
[Librarian 16:10:41]: Librarian 'corya_cmpl' has joined the session.
[Librarian 16:10:56]: Ask a Librarian is an Illinois service
[Joe 16:11:36]: Is there anything like Ask a Librarian in other states?
[Librarian 16:12:30]: yes
[Joe 16:13:17]: Is there some place on the net where this information is available? If so, where?
[Librarian 16:14:36]: it's not the same service, different libraries provide their own online service. if you google library service online chat you will come up with several examples
[Librarian 16:15:16]: is there something specific you're trying to determine?
[Librarian 16:16:24]: you could try this website if you're interested in who has this service
[Librarian 16:16:28]: http://liswiki.org/wiki/Chat_reference_libraries
[Librarian 16:17:07]: does that answer your question?
[Joe 16:19:02]: It looks promising. Thank you very much.
End transmission
The total time for this conversation was less than 9 minutes. Not only that but the AskAwayIllinois page is framed so the librarian didn’t just find the source but displayed the website in another frame on the same screen.
Before there was Google, Ask, or Yahoo, there was the library. It has been there for centuries. It has continued to grow and expand its services as patrons’ requirements grow. Many of the services listed above require entry of a library card. Since September is Library Card Sign-up Month anyway, this is an excellent reason to get one. Those without one may find themselves without access to some truly amazing resources.
Thanks to:
Staff of the Downers Grove Public Library and AskAwayIllinois
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