Open AccessVirtual Libraries Supporting Student Learning
Author(s) -
Holly Gunn
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
school libraries worldwide
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2816-3788
pISSN - 1023-9391
DOI - 10.29173/slw7108
Subject(s) - digital library , world wide web , virtual space , computer science , electronic library , school library , instructional simulation , multimedia , virtual learning environment , space (punctuation) , physical space , virtual reality , human–computer interaction , art , literature , poetry , cartography , artificial intelligence , geography , operating system
School libraries can exist in two spaces, a physical space or a virtual space. The author argues that students need a virtual library as well as a physical library because of the different learning opportunities that can be supported by virtual libraries. If a virtual library is carefully planned and designed, it can provide a rich learning environment. Although some authors may distinguish between various terms used to describe virtual libraries: digital libraries, electronic libraries, e-libraries, and the broader term virtual library, in this article, the term virtual library is used to describe any managed collection of information sources in an electronic format. Therefore, virtual libraries could include digital collections of pictures, maps, Web sites, or library records.