CRITTIQUE
If proficiency in the identification, selection and use of internet resources is a primary information literacy goal, then for the libraries to claim gateway to information they must be able to provide adequate instructional tutorials on how to access, use and evaluate the internet resources.
Their web page and home page design must suggest that they are dedicated to helping students achieve their desired goals through provision of navigation tools, use of clear and defined terms, drop-down menus and annotations.
Posted by Ophelia Ezetoha
MIM/EDUC/19113/2007-2008
Friday 23 January 2009
The academic libraries as a gateway to internet
THE ACADEMIC LIBRARY AS A GATEWAY TO THE INTERNET: AN ANALYSIS OF THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF SEARCH ENGINE ACCESS FROM ACADEMIC LIBRARY HOME PAGES
Academic libraries had been regarded as gateways to information for the University communities; the undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and lecturers inclusive. In this regards, the library has a responsibility for information literacy instruction, selection, use and evaluation of multiple information resources including internet resources.
It is sad then to find out that most libraries do not provide these services. Their websites and homepages are not relevant to users’ needs thus bringing about search, frustration, waste of time and click lost. Recent studies have shown that students especially the undergraduates regard the internet as a primary source of information resource whether or not they are able to evaluate the information gotten thereby sacrificing quality for convenience. Some of these students are not even aware of the less easily accessible but qualitative “deep web”.
Some factors have hindered the profitable use of the internet; the inability to choose the right search engine, poor navigation pathway design, lack of guide and tutorials, use of library jargons, use of vague and non informative terms, lack of annotations and drop-down menu and links.
The challenges posed by the new information environment are great and libraries should show that they are able to meet these challenges in order to make internet searches a gainful exercise.
Submitted by EZETOHA OPHELIA N.
MIM/EDUC/19113/2007-2008
Academic libraries had been regarded as gateways to information for the University communities; the undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and lecturers inclusive. In this regards, the library has a responsibility for information literacy instruction, selection, use and evaluation of multiple information resources including internet resources.
It is sad then to find out that most libraries do not provide these services. Their websites and homepages are not relevant to users’ needs thus bringing about search, frustration, waste of time and click lost. Recent studies have shown that students especially the undergraduates regard the internet as a primary source of information resource whether or not they are able to evaluate the information gotten thereby sacrificing quality for convenience. Some of these students are not even aware of the less easily accessible but qualitative “deep web”.
Some factors have hindered the profitable use of the internet; the inability to choose the right search engine, poor navigation pathway design, lack of guide and tutorials, use of library jargons, use of vague and non informative terms, lack of annotations and drop-down menu and links.
The challenges posed by the new information environment are great and libraries should show that they are able to meet these challenges in order to make internet searches a gainful exercise.
Submitted by EZETOHA OPHELIA N.
MIM/EDUC/19113/2007-2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)