Virtual information services

Virtual information is the concept of information housed in electronic format and delivered without regard to its location and time. Virtual information is composed of digital information and electronic resources transported through computer networks. Libraries organize information electronically providing access to virtual information through various networks like the Internet and the World Wide Web.

Development in library services

Growing since the 1960s, in the early phases of virtual information, libraries embarked in innovatory projects where the focal point was to offer access to the hard-copy collections. Integrating electronic information formats with conventional printed materials libraries were amongst the first users of virtual information.

Early projects centered on the creation of an electronic card catalog known as Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). By the 1980s, the success of these endeavors resulted in OPAC replacing the traditional card catalog in many academic, public, and special libraries. This permitted libraries to undertake additional rewarding cooperative efforts to support resource sharing and expand access beyond an individual library.

An additional advance was the growth of electronic databases of subject-specific information such as the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC). These electronic databases became important virtual information tools for libraries in quest of expanding their services further than what they could physically accommodate in their own collections.

Benefits

*Full and equal access to different groups of users.
*Available through the Internet at any moment and anywhere.
*Storage efficiency.
*Databases research capabilities.
*Provide access to download of e-books.
*Capability to place interlibrary loans.

Outlook at virtual information

As stated by experts in library science ‘’the dominant ethic of librarianship is service’’, [ Crawford, W. & Gorman, M. (1995). Future libraries: Dreams, madness, & reality. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.] and libraries evaluate the concept of virtual information with the question: ‘’how will this change improve the service that this library gives’’? Libraries are adjusting to changes and innovative services. Reference librarians at libraries continue to search and sort through information for authority and quality.

References

*cite journal |last=Boyd |first=Stephanie |title= A Traditional Library Goes Virtual |journal= Online |volume=26 |issue=2 |month=MarApr |year= 2002 |pages=41

*cite journal |last=Jeske |first=Michelle |title=The New Service |journal=Library Journal |volume=130 |issue=5 |date=March 15, 2005 |pages= 23

*cite news |last=Long |first=Sara |url= http://www.sarahlong.org/ourlibraries/read/index.php?articleID=293 |title= Sources are key when searching for information in the Internet |publisher=The Daily Herald |date=2007-01-29 |accessdate=2007-02-03

*cite journal |last=Stokes |first=Lauren |authorlink=Lauren Stokes |coauthors=Karen Wilber |title=Creating Alleycat, a Virtual Library Catalog |journal=Computers in Libraries |volume=21 |issue=4 |month=April |year=2001 |pages=40–5