Virtual School Libraries - Open 24/7

"When I step into this library, I cannot understand why I ever step out of it." Marie de Sevigne

Well, now you never have to leave your school, local or regional library. With the appearance of virtual libraries, the physical and temporal barriers to accessing real libraries are disappearing while virtual libraries are sprouting up in their places.

So, what is a virtual (school) library?
A search for ‘virtual library’ on Wikipedia comes up as ‘digital library’ Wikipedia classifies ‘virtual’ and ‘electronic’ libraries as older terms and seems to favour ‘digital library’. In the book, The Virtual School Library – Gateway to the Information Superhighway edited by Carol Kulthau, a virtual library is described as “…the concept of remote access to the contents and services of libraries and other information sources, combining an on-site collection of current and heavily used materials both in print and electronic form, with an electronic network which provides access to, and delivery from, external world-wide library and commercial information and knowledge sources”.

According to Kulthau, the virtual library has the following characteristics:

1. A local collection of materials that meet the information needs of the library’s primary clientele
2. An OPAC, which identifies the holdings in that collection
3. The means to access abstracting and indexing services in machine readable form
4. Access to other databases to which the library subscribes
5. Telecommunications links to other libraries’ OPACs and related information resources
6. Telecommunications links to other information agencies and their resources and services
7. the ability to send and receive information and data electronically

The WWW Virtual Library is described as ‘the original web directory of Tim Berners-Lee’, who is known as the founder of the Internet. Who knew? It has some interesting resources. I wonder though, “How is this different from what I might find on a search engine?” I actually have less access to web resources if I stay within this virtual library.

What are some good examples of virtual libraries?
As for the Springfield Township High School Virtual Library, all I can say is ‘Wow!’ Now I get why Joyce Valenza is such a guru in teacher-librarian circles. What an amazing site. The homepage is wonderful, visual and simple. The interface is excellent and is appropriate for high-school students and adults. Any teacher-librarian would be proud to have such a web presence. I will definitely be coming back to this site to search for useful virtual library ideas.

The Parkcrest Library Media Center in Kamloops, BC is a good example of an Elementary School virtual library. It's visually appealing, links are quick, useful information.

Another great example of a virtual school library is the site for Latimer Road Elementary School in Surrey, BC. This virtual school library just happens to be the product of a U of A TLDL student (and a former classmate of mine), Andrea Langelaar. Not only is there access to school library catalogue, there are also links to the online catalogues of the Surry Public Library, and the Fraser Valley Regional Library.

An impressive virtual secondary school library right in my own district is at Esquimalt Secondary School (whose TL is another student in the U of A TLDL program). With lots of links to search engines, newspapers, reference books and other library catalogues, this is an outstanding example of what can be done with a secondary school virtual library.

What are the benefits of virtual libraries?

They provide better access to information:
Virtual school libraries aim to consolidate a lot of online information in a friendly, accessible package to student users. There is no need to do exhaustive searches – it is like a one-stop-shop for school-age students. Not only can they access information contained in their own school library, they can access online databases, and other sources linked to the library’s site. This means that anyone with a computer and the Internet has access to the same information.

They improve school-student-home communication:
What better way to inform students and parents of resources available through the school library? Virtual libraries encourage students and their parents to access library collections on-line from home, which will ultimately increase ties between the school library and its users. In other words, it will get them coming to the library!

They support best teaching practices:
Virtual school libraries encourage teachers to ‘go digital’ by providing links on to their curricular areas on the school library home page. This, of course, improves access to information for all students. Teachers will also be even more conscious of choosing AND updating the best resources if they publicly viewed by students, parents and colleagues. Finally, they encourage sharing and collaboration between teachers and teacher-librarians.

They improve student learning:
Students don’t have to wait to physically be in the school library to research, learn and create meaning. As well, with the information glut that exists on the Internet, information specialists, a.k.a teacher librarians, can sift through and select the best learning resources for their students, thus improving their access to quality information sources.

So, what is the next step for virtual libraries? Will they eventually replace 'real world' libraries? As useful and user-friendly as they are, there will always be a human desire to actually touch a book, speak to a librarian and listen to a story. Virtual and real libraries can co-exist and in fact, complement each other.