Library+-+Virtual+Libraries

=Virtual Libraries are the way to go -=

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With the massive emergence of the digital world in every aspect of life, it only makes sense to utilize the virtual resources for reference. The virtual world can take research to a new level. Students are learners instead of students. They potentially have access to an unlimited source of information through digital storage of texts. Virtual libraries are automatically updated without continuous expense, there is no need for a multitude of dusty shelves nor is there a need to worry about torn or damaged books. There is no need to travel long distances or to wait for a requested resource. Research and learning are more easily accomplished at the learners pace. Students do not have to rely on transportation or business hours to be able to work on assignments. There are many resources that students can have access to that they would not have even know about if they were to only rely on the traditional library setting. Oftentimes there are questions that can arise in the middle of working on something and the need for an answer is immediate - what can you do? In the virtual world type in the question and the answer is usually right there. Society is accustomed to the right at the fingertip mode and functions on instantaneous answers. It is obvious that this is where the world is headed so why not support the movement? If a student is working on a paper on the Sistine Chapel just looking at a book is not going to give the full affect. But, if the student were to take the virtual tour and be able to look at many different aspects of the chapel then there would be a greater appreciation for the art.

Wischerth, L. (2011). //It’s either Darwin or the way of the Dinosaurs//. [online] Retrieved from: []

Windie

E-reader ownership is on the rise- 33% now own a e-reader or tablet. From 2011 to December 2012, E-readership rose from 16% to 23%. At the same time, readership of print copies had declined from 72% to 67%.

Physical resources such as books take up space, and thus limit the quantity of resources available. It is possible for a virtual library, or a brick and mortal library which also offers virtual resources, to offer a greater quantity and depth of resources and information. According to James Tracy, the headmaster of Cushing Academy, "A small collection of printed books no longer supports the type of research required by a 21st century curriculum " (Do School Libraries Need Books? 2010).

Virtual libraries lend themselves well to adaptive and differentiated learning. A student who is visually impaired can adjust the print size. A struggling reader or ESL student can utilize audio books to gain content. I recently had a student who had sustained a concussion who had difficulty reading from printed sources, but who could read without symptoms on a Kindle by adjusting the print size and color scheme.
 * Whoever wrote this, are you referring to virtual libraries, or digital libraries? As it is defined in [|Digital Media in Community Libraries], a **virtual library ** is a library that ONLY exists virtually. Whereas, a digital library is consists of digital materials and service.
 * Thanks for pointing that out. I was thinking of the digital resources available in virtual libraries when I posted this. However, you are correct, digital materials are also available through many brick and mortar libraries, though not all. ~Tammy

Now a word for the digital library. How can we underestimate the power of immediate access to current events. I'm sure students around the world this week, are using online, current resources to learn about the devastation hurricane in The Philippines. This access to information helps our students learn more about the world around them. Jenn

=Virtual Libraries are the way to go -= Reference:

Virtual libraries, possibly the future. E-readers are on the rise. Seven percent in one year according to a Pew Internet Research Center survey (2012). Virtual libraries and its power of convenience. Don’t get me wrong nothing feels better than holding a hardback book, but as the world around our favorite Pieces of literature steps in to a modern world which is very much based on technology what are they to do? If you can’t beat them join them! Virtual libraries have the ability to bring forth some of the Most well known and unknown works of literature out there, right at your fingertips in simply seconds say you have an exam on Edgar Allen Poe’s the Raven next block only problem is you have never read a single page. You can easily pull out your smartphone, purchase the poem, download and read all in the few minutes you have left. Virtual Libraries would also be convenient because the world we live in today is heavily based on technology.The “Net Generation” presses of a few buttons to open an endless world of information. Students increasingly prefer the virtual world to printed text (Johnson 2010). The question is how can we accomplish 1:1 technology devices to accommodate all of our students to access the virtual library? The answered is Bring Your Own Device (“BYOD”). BYOD policies have been gaining acceptance in schools of the 21st century. Adults and our young “digital natives” fill misplaced without their personal digital devices. In the ninety’s just adults had cell phones. Now elementary students are packing smart phones around. Stephen Noonoo says “According to a new mobile learning report from Blackboard and Project Tomorrow, about 50 percent of high school and 40 percent of middle school students now own or have access to a smartphone or tablet, a 400 percent increase since 2007”(2012). All in all students prefer the virtual world.

-Jason Holcomb

New York Comprehensive Center, 2011. Informational Brief: Impact of School Libraries on Student Achievement. Retrieved from: [] [|**http://www.techlearning.com**] Johnson, D. 92010) Changed but Still Critical: Brick and Mortar School Libraries in the Digital Age. Retrieved from: **[|http://www.doug- johnson.com/dougwri/changed-but-still-critical-bricks-and-mortar-libraries- in- th.html]**
 * BYOD strategies. (2012). Technology & Learning, 32(7), 34-37. Retrieved from **
 * Huff Post. (2012). Reading Statistics: Traditional Books On Decline, Survey Says. **
 * [|http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/27/reading-statistics- _n_2370186.html] **

Saves tax dollars needed for upkeep of physical space and resources. Accessible 24/7. Amazon reported that sales of ebooks have now exceeded hardcover and paperback sales on the Amazon.com website Wischerth, L. (2011). //It’s either Darwin or the way of the Dinosaurs//. [online] Retrieved from: [] [Accessed: 14 Nov 2013].

~Megan

I just realized we are supposed to support both sides of the argument. So for the virtual library side:


 * The secretary of education did call for a move to all digital textbooks (Lederman, 2012)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;">The space could be used for other uses, such as classrooms.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;">Replacing books is expensive.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;">Virtual libraries are available 24 hours per day, as long as the Internet connection is available.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;">Students who are homeschooled would benefit from virtual libraries more than in school libraries. The percentage of homeschooled students went from 1.7% in 1999 to 2.9% in 2007, a 75% increase in 8 years.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;"><range type="comment" id="469897094_2">Disabled students have more options for access with virtual libraries with text to speech and voice recognition software.</range id="469897094_2">

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Lederman,J. (2012). Arne Duncan calls for textbooks to become obsolete. Huffington Post. Retrieved from: []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d). Fast facts, Homeschooling. US Department of Education. Retrieved from : []

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Cindy

Virtual libraries are extremely convenient and in this day and age it’s all about what can be accessed at the click of a button. This can be really great for students who may be out of town or away from a library and can just access it online to complete an assignment. I also like the fact that it’s a free and open access. There may be some resources that aren't available at the time, but the beauty of a virtual library is that you can request for something to be mailed or sent online to you later. When I was thinking of the benefits to this type of library I thought about people who live in the smaller towns around Batesville and I can see this being very beneficial to them because they don’t have access to a great library. The New Indian Express newspaper states that “ these days, with home work and numerous extra-curricular activities, kids seldom have the time to read books, let alone visit a library”(Virtual. 2011). This statement rings very true of this younger and technologically plugged in generation because it seems that everyone is so rushed and it just saves time to be able to instantly pull up a resource instead of seeking it out.

Resources: 2011. Virtual vs. Traditional Libraries Battle Heats Up. The New Indian Express. Retrieved from []

~Julie Roach



The virtual library finds an appropriate place with higher education and more advanced readers. The physical brick and mortar building is an essential stepping stone for beginner readers, to appreciate the value of a book. The virtual library already exists, and makes research much easier and more efficient for the higher lear ner (Balsamo, 2009). The virtual library, a place that only exists online and offers the viewer the opportunity to digital borrow books, read books, and perform research from the comfort of their own device is a valuable amenity for the higher level learner. Usually at the higher levels of education, more research is required. Virtual library provide a streamlined way to accomplish research tasks. Beginner readers benefit more from the physical act of holding the book, turning the pa in education, and the distinction between who access which library is determined by the teacher and student. ges, interacting with the artwork, and utilizing multiple senses while reading. The more advanced reader, who is reading for a specific purpose or goal, other than personal enlightenment, benefits from teh streamlined convenience of virtual libraries. Both, brick and mortar, and the virtual library have a place Balsamo, A, 2009. The Public Library in a Google Age. Retrieved from [] 2013.

~Mike Norkun

** Virtual Library, A Must! ** Our world is ever evolving. Our students need to be able to work successfully in this ever changing environment. Here is a What's Hot/What's Not Poster for successful school libraries from the National Association of Independent Schools. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #525252; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> **Technology and the Library:**

What’s Hot, and What’s Not?

Learning to utilize the current and ever changing resources available allows our students to learn how to be successful researchers. This process is ongoing and can be applied to all subject areas. The media specialists, technology integrators and teachers help our students use these resources most effectively.
 * ~ What's hot ||~ What's not ||
 * Physical and virtual libraries as hubs of creating new knowledge and educational innovation. || libraries as stand-alone centers of knowledge consumption. ||
 * regular collaboration with the technology team to ensure consistency in skills, approach to technology, and technology policies. || librarians teaching technology in a vacuum, or ignoring the technology curriculum, while staying out of the conversation about technology policy or plans for the school. ||
 * Staffing that allows librarians to visit classrooms, to teach and accompany students on the research experience where it is happening, and to attend faculty meetings and department meetings across the curriculum. || Understaffing the library so the teaching librarian has to supervise the library and miss authentic research and collaboration moments. ||
 * Keeping a curated selection of books and digital resources that are used, and weeding and updating the collection on a regular basis. || Keeping an archive of books and resources that are rarely used. ||
 * encouraging the librarian to experiment and play with new digital resources and tools. || no opportunities to offer ebooks and new media to students and faculty due to budget constraints. ||
 * offering collaborative workspaces for students and noise-cancelling headphones for those who want silence. || Shushing students all day. ||
 * lending gear from laptops to iPads, from phone chargers to video cameras, from rulers to calculators. || advocating in-library use only for many materials. ||
 * librarians active in their personal learning networks in order to stay aware of the rapidly changing field and to help lead the discussions about new and meaningful avenues for technology in the curriculum. || librarians not willing (or not given the opportunity) to implement change in the library program or services offered. ||
 * collaborating with teachers to create inquiry-based projects that seamlessly integrate research and information literacy skills into the academic curriculum. || leaving the librarian out of the planning process and implementation in regard to research and technology resources. ||
 * learning how to search google effectively. || one million hits in your google results list. ||
 * a library space with powerful Wi-Fi, numerous outlets, whiteboards, moveable furniture, and easy access to the virtual library. || inflexible learning spaces. ||
 * a welcoming, student-centered library that supports learning and curiosity. || a library where students feel there are too many rules with no purpose. ||

**References** National Association of Independent Schools. Retrieved from http://www.nais.org/Magazines-Newsletters/ISMagazine/Pages/The-New-School-Library.aspx

Jenn Freeda

Amber Bishop 11/14/2013 ** Virtual Libraries ** Virtual libraries are quickly taking the place of physical libraries while transforming existing library space into a place for new opportunities to accommodate and embrace the transitions. Existing libraries have the option of purchasing digital resources to be used, such as books and/or databases, or libraries can scan in previously purchased resources and books. Specific computers allow users to scan in books and create an electronic file that can be accessed by using an electronic device. These computers allow approximately 2,400 pages per hour to be scanned.

An advantage of embracing virtual libraries is allowing users to access resources at no cost regardless of their location. By using a virtual library users can access books and resources by using the Internet. Users have the option of retrieving full text documents and books by searching for a specific word, author, title or subject.

Implementing a virtual library into a schools would allow students and teachers to access resources from within the class, or from home; eliminating the need to go to the library to access the knowledge and information. Allowing students unlimited access to library resources at home or within the classroom, helps keep students easily connected to information regardless of this location. This could allow students to access additional information from home if they were not able to gain and gather all of their information throughout the school day. This can also allow students to access other libraries, such as the town library or local colleges and universities.

By transforming into virtual libraries, schools are creating virtual learning spaces. These spaces allow students access to the same materials, only the materials are available in an electronic format. This allows schools to save space and time from managing physical resources. By eliminating the amount of time that schools must spend managing physical resources schools are able to create virtual resources to better help students understand and gather information using Internet. Librarians can use their efforts to create virtual learning experiences that can be reused by students and staff members to better understand how to use web 2.0 tools work, as well as, how to navigate the Internet and library resources.

Using virtual learning environments also allows schools to save funds. Money can be saved by not purchasing books, hiring fewer libraries, and also by not having to maintain or manage physical books. Within our school library, the librarian duties include constantly having to manage and maintain books that have been too loved, used, or mistreated. <range type="comment" id="469897094_1">Allowing users to have virtual access to books, all students are able to view the same quality of books, without having to worry about missing page(s) or broken spines. </range id="469897094_1">Libraries can also be accessible through the Internet, allow students to ask research and reference questions from a remote location.

Work Cited Fender, K. L. (2008). VIRTUAL LIBRARIES. //Library Administrator's Digest, 43//(2), 11-12. Retrieved from []

Secker, J. (2010). Virtual libraries as virtual learning spaces. //International Preservation News,// (51), 11-15. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/747129050?accountid=3783//

// Wilson, J., & Bolton, K. (2013). Unexpected advantages of virtual libraries. //Information Outlook (Online), 17//(3), 25-27. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1372161545?accountid=3783