E-Libraries: Tools for Accessing Information

Abstract

Libraries must fulfill two important requirements of users means it must have good resource base and an efficient mechanism to share the resources. To provide access to information through networking and supplying through a suitable document delivery mechanism such as fax, e-mail, and file transfer or through interlibrary loan are the modes generally followed by e-libraries for resource sharing to meet the requirements of the users. The impact of e-media on the research users is such that they expect access to information from wherever they are, free of any charges and wish to get not merely bibliographic information, but full original text. Users perceive the Internet as an information goldmine and the answer to all their information problems. However, when they attempt to use electronic resources, they sometimes change their perspective. Quite often they realize that to exploit these resources effectively they need training. The users do not really get the benefits from the technology unless they are trained to have a right perspective and understanding of the electronic resources.