Effective use of the Library

Ms. Ifeoluwa O. Olayemi

BCH 401
Library
• Library is a collection of written, printed, or other graphic and
visual materials including films, photographs, phonographs,
tapes, records video cassette, disc, microforms and computer
programmes (software) organized and maintained for reading,
study and interpreted to meet broad and varying need of people
for information, knowledge, recreation and aesthetic
enjoyment.
• Libraries are primarily set up to acquire, organize, and make
accessible to users, all kinds of information materials which
users require.
• Libraries are essential resources for academic and professional
development, offering access to vast information and tools.
• It can be considered as the store house of Knowledge
• Library is derived from the Latin word “liber” meaning
“books”.
• Learning to effectively use the library is critical for efficient
research, improved academic performance, and personal
growth.
Sections in a Library
• There are several sections in the Library. They are:
i. Circulation section: This is one of the busiest sections of the library, responsible for:
• Lending and returning books.
• Managing user accounts and book reservations.
• Handling overdue books and fines.
• Assisting users with borrowing policies
ii. Reference section: This section provides access to materials that offer quick and reliable
information but cannot be borrowed. It includes: Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Atlases and maps,
Handbooks and manuals and Government publications etc.

iii. Cataloguing and Classification Section: This section organizes books systematically for easy
retrieval.
• Cataloguing involves creating records with details like title, author, subject, and edition.

• Classification assigns call numbers based on subject categories using systems

iv. Periodicals Section: This section houses regularly published materials, including: Newspapers,
Magazines, Journals (both print and electronic), Research bulletins and conference proceedings
Sections in a Library Cont’d
v. E-Library/Digital Library Section: With technological advancements, libraries now provide
electronic resources, such as:
• Online research databases (e.g., JSTOR, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore)
• E-books and digital journals
• Institutional repositories
• Computer access for research and academic work
vi. Special Collections and Archives Section: This section contains rare and valuable materials,
including:
• Manuscripts and historical records
• Theses and dissertations
• Government documents
• Audio-visual material
vii. Study and Research Section: A designated quiet area for academic work, providing:
• Individual and group study rooms
• Research cubicles
• Workstations for postgraduate students and faculty members
Types of Library
• Academic Library
• School libraries
• College libraries
• University libraries
• Public Library
• Special Library
Advantages of Using a library
• Free access to a wide range of resources
• Quiet study environment
• Access to expert help from librarians
• Community engagement and events
• Availability of physical books, journals, and archives
• Preservation of rare or specialized materials
• Availability of technology (computers, printers, etc.)
• Access to learning materials without subscription fees
Disadvantages of a library
• Limited operating hours
• Need to physically visit the library
• Limited availability of popular resources
• Wait times for borrowing materials
• Limited digital resources compared to online platforms
• Space limitations for studying during peak times
• Potential for distractions in shared spaces
• Risk of fines or late fees for overdue materials
• Time restriction for borrowed materials
E-Library/Digital Library
• A digital library is a system that
provides access to digital collections
of information and resources.
• These collections can range from
academic journals, books, and videos
to multimedia files, databases, and
software tools.
• It can also be defined as a collection of
digital objects or resources that
provide access to content in various
forms such as text, audio, video, and
images.
• The goal is to offer a centralized space
for users to search, access, and retrieve
digital materials conveniently.
E-Library/Digital Library Cont’d
• Digital libraries differ from traditional libraries in
that they primarily store and manage electronic
resources, offering easy access to users through
the internet or internal network systems.
• The rise of digital libraries has been fueled by
advancements in information technology,
particularly in internet accessibility and data
storage such as databases, metadata systems, and
cloud computing,.
• These platforms are designed to enhance learning,
research, and knowledge dissemination by
offering tools for seamless searching, sharing, and
storage of information.
• The primary goal of a digital library is to break
down barriers to information by making resources
accessible anytime and anywhere, catering to the
needs of students, researchers, and professionals
globally.
 Difference between digital and Traditional Library
S/N Digital Library Traditional Library
1. Digital libraries provide resources in electronic Traditional libraries house physical materials such as books,
formats, such as e-books, PDFs, multimedia files journals, magazines, newspapers, maps, and manuscripts.
(audio, video, images), and scanned versions of
physical documents.
2. This enables content to be stored, distributed, and Rare and historical items in traditional libraries are often
accessed digitally, reducing the reliance on paper stored in climate-controlled environments to prevent damage
and other physical materials.
3. Digital libraries overcome these barriers by Accessibility is limited to a specific location, such as a
offering 24/7 online access. Users can log in from school, university, or public library. Users must visit during
anywhere worldwide as long as they have an designated operating hours, which can be restrictive for those
internet connection. in different time zones or with time constraints.
4. Digital libraries streamline the search process with Locating materials in a traditional library can be time-
advanced tools, including full-text search, Boolean intensive. Users rely on physical catalogues or the
operators, filters, and metadata tagging. These Classification system to find resources.
features enable users to locate specific resources or
topics within seconds, saving time and effort.
 Difference between digital and Traditional Library
S/N Digital Library Traditional Library
5. Digital libraries preserve content in electronic formats, Physical materials are subject to wear and tear over
protecting it from physical degradation. Scanning and time. Environmental factors such as humidity,
digitization of rare or historical documents ensure that temperature, and pests can also damage resources.
they remain intact and accessible for future generations.
6. Digital libraries enable instant sharing of resources. Users Borrowing a book or journal from another library may
from different locations can access the same material require interlibrary loan services that rely on shipping
simultaneously, promoting collaboration and reducing and handling.
duplication of resources across institutions.
7. Digital libraries reduce costs associated with physical Maintaining a traditional library involves significant
maintenance and storage. While initial investments in expenses, including staffing, infrastructure, utilities,
technology and software licensing can be high, they and acquisition of physical resources.
eliminate recurring costs like printing and physical
resource distribution.
8. Digital libraries emphasize self-service. Users navigate Users often rely on the expertise of librarians to locate
the platform independently using intuitive interfaces and specific resources or answer research-related questions.
search tools. However, many digital libraries also provide
virtual support through chatbots, email, or online help
desks.
Features of Digital Library
• The main features that define a digital library are:
i. Wide Variety of Digital Resources
ii. 24/7 Accessibility
iii. Advanced Search and Retrieval Tools
iv. Long-Term Preservation of Resources
v. Remote Access
vi. Long-Term Preservation of Resources
vii. Multimedia Integration
viii. Cost Efficiency
ix. Personalized User Experience
x. Collaborative Tools
Types of Resources in Digital Library
• E-book
• Multimedia file
• Academic journals and research articles
• Rare and Historical documents
• News paper and magazines
• Datasets and databases
• Thesis and dissertation
• Government and legal documents
• Open Education Resource (OER)
• Open access Resource
• Technical reports and manuals
• Reference materials
Resource Tools for Accessing Digital Library
materials
1. Academic Search Engines & 2. Reference & Citation Tools
Databases Example:
Examples: • Zotero – A free tool for managing
• Google Scholar – Provides a broad and citing research sources.
range of academic papers. • Mendeley – Helps organize
• PubMed – Specializes in life research papers and generate
sciences and medical research. citations.
• ScienceDirect – Offers peer- • EndNote – A reference
reviewed journal articles in various management tool for scholarly
disciplines. writing
• IEEE Xplore – Useful for
engineering and technology
researches etc.
Resource Tools for Accessing Digital Library
materials Cont’d
4. E-Book and Digital Reading
3. Plagiarism Detection and Writing Platforms:
Assistance Tools: These tools help These tools provide access to books,
ensure originality and improve reports, and other educational materials.
academic writing.
Example:
Example:
• Google Books (books.google.com) –
• Turnitin (www.turnitin.com) – Search and preview books online.
Plagiarism detection tool for academic
writing. • Open Library (openlibrary.org) – Free e-
books and digital lending.
• Grammarly (www.grammarly.com) –
AI-powered grammar and writing • Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org) –
assistant. Public domain e-books.
• QuillBot (www.quillbot.com) – • World Digital Library (www.wdl.org) –
Paraphrasing and summarizing tool etc. Cultural and historical books.
Resource Tools for Accessing Digital Library
materials Cont’d 6. learning/teaching tools
Example:
5. Digital Library and Open Access Repositories:
These platforms provide free access to research • Coursera (www.coursera.org) – University-level
articles, journals, and books. courses with certifications.
Example: • edX (www.edx.org) – Free and paid courses from top
• DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) universities.
(www.doaj.org) – Free peer-reviewed journals.
• Udemy (www.udemy.com) – Affordable courses on a
• PubMed Central (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc) – variety of subjects.
Biomedical and life sciences papers.
• arXiv (arxiv.org) – Preprints in physics, math, and • FutureLearn (www.futurelearn.com) – Short courses
computer science. and degree programs.
• JSTOR (www.jstor.org) – Digital archive of • Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org) – Free K-
journals and books. 12 and higher education courses.
• Internet Archive (archive.org) – Books, papers, and
historical documents. • LinkedIn Learning (www.linkedin.com/learning) –
• HathiTrust Digital Library (www.hathitrust.org) – A Business, tech, and creative courses.
massive digital book repository. • Skillshare (www.skillshare.com) – Creative and
professional skills courses.
• YouTube (www.youtube.com) – A vast collection of
educational videos.
Resource Tools for Accessing Digital Library
materials Cont’d
7. Digital Collaboration and Classroom Tools:
These tools help in virtual teaching and learning
collaboration.
Example:
• Google Classroom (classroom.google.com) –
Online learning management system.
• Moodle (moodle.org) – Open-source learning
platform.
• Microsoft Teams for Education
(www.microsoft.com/en-us/education) –
Virtual learning and collaboration.
• Zoom (zoom.us) – Video conferencing for
online teaching.
• Slack (slack.com) – Communication and
collaboration for students and teachers.
Websites for Accessing Research
Materials
i. Google (www.google.com) xi. SSRN (Social Science Research Network)
ii. Google Scholar (scholar.google.com) (www.ssrn.com)
iii. PubMed (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) xii. ScienceOpen (www.scienceopen.com)
iv. DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) xiii.HathiTrust Digital Library
(www.doaj.org) (www.hathitrust.org)
v. JSTOR (www.jstor.org) xiv.Internet Archive (archive.org)
vi. ScienceDirect (www.sciencedirect.com) xv. Open Library (openlibrary.org)
vii. SpringerLink (link.springer.com) xvi.World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
viii. IEEE Xplore (ieeexplore.ieee.org) (openknowledge.worldbank.org)
ix. ResearchGate (www.researchgate.net) xvii.UNESCO Digital Library
x. Academia.edu (www.academia.edu) (unesdoc.unesco.org)
xi. arXiv (arxiv.org) xviii.FAO AGRIS (agris.fao.org)
xix.WHO Global Health Library
(www.who.int/library)
xx. CERN Document Server (cds.cern.ch)
xxi.MIT OpenCourseWare (ocw.mit.edu)
xxii.Zenodo (zenodo.org)
Challenges in Digital Library
• Copyright and Intellectual Property Issues
• Digital Preservation and Data Loss Risks
• Accessibility Inequities: language barrier,
subscription cost and digital divide.
• Users training and digital literacy
• Security and privacy concern
• Limited accessibility for disabled