Start@ the Library or the Web?
Many students mistakenly believe that "everything" is available on the Web. Here are some differences between doing research on the Web versus using the Library:
THE WEB
- Anyone can publish material on the Web; there is no assurance that the information on publicly available Web sites is correct, current, or authoritative.
- There is no system to index and organize all resources on the Web; the most comprehensive search engine, Google, indexes only a fraction of Web sites.
- There is no one responsible for helping you find what you need.
- A lot of the information on the Web is not free.
THE LIBRARY
- The resources have all been reviewed and selected by professional librarians or faculty.
- All of the information is organized and indexed so that you can find what you need easily.
- There is always Library staff on hand to help you find information, navigate research databases, and interpret difficult concepts.
- The Library provides free access to print and electronic magazines, journals, and books that may not be publicly available on the Web.
This being said, the Web does offer some advantages to many Library resources.
- Web sites can be constantly updated to provide breaking news and timely information.
- The Web provides opportunities for communication and collaboration through e-mail, blog
s,wikis, social networking sites, and forums. - The Web can offer a complete multimedia experience, with text, video, interactive features, audio, hyperlinks, and graphics all in one place.
Use information from the Web to complement your library research. There's a place for both in your work!
