I have a research paper due this week in my cataloging class regarding how electronic resources have changed cataloging practices. Don’t worry, I’m not going to regurgitate the contents of my paper to you, but the topic made me start thinking about all of the ways electronic resources and e-books have changed the library in general. Users are obviously one reason for an increase in electronic resources. They want materials delivered to them in their homes, on their laptops, on their phones, on their i-pads, and on whatever new device is innovated within upcoming years. Do users really know how much electronic resources have affected them? Do you even know in what ways users are affected?
Yes, users can access information more often and at all times. That is, however, not the final conclusion to the question being posed. As a consequence of users seeking needed information and materials online rather than solely in the physical library building or bookstore, they access more information for different purposes. When I am conducting a search for articles within a database (or now through Primo due to its ability to encompass all types of resources within its search retrievals), results which are not relevant to a paper I am in the process of writing sometimes catch my eye. I often end up reading large portions of these irrelevant but interesting articles (provided my paper deadline is not within the next few hours). Similar behavior occurs when I am searching the OPAC (online public access catalog) or Primo at work to check the library’s holdings against titles requested for purchase. I see that we have a book which interests me as an e-book, and I cannot resist opening it up and reading a little bit. Once, I sent myself the title and author information in an e-mail and finished reading the entire book when I got home that day.
Users might be drawn to irrelevant materials when locating a needed item in the physical library; however, they are less likely to sit down in between the shelves to flip through a print copy of a book, making them less likely to get fully hooked. Similarly, I cannot get up and retrieve every print material that interests me when I am working. Electronic resources’ convenience makes them more likely to be selected by means other than purposeful searches.
Why is the factor of accidentally stumbling upon electronic resources worth noting? Individuals are reading more than they were previously as a result, meaning they are obtaining more information. The argument can then be made that electronic resources are a major factor in elevating the intelligence level of certain demographics. Unfortunately, individuals who cannot afford computers or internet access do not reap these benefits. Physical public libraries are thus so important to ensuring all individuals have opportunities to access information which can improve their lives and livelihoods. The emergence of electronic resources also allows librarians to be more available to such individuals who are less capable of independently searching for what they need.
While I am sure that electronic resources affect users and libraries in numerous other ways, I think the occurrence of increased absorption of information is most definitely one of the neatest ways. Libraries are thus allowed increased functioning. They not only provide needed information but also pave the way to additional materials of interest.
What are some of the ways you find yourself using electronic resources differently from print and other non-digital media?
