ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

The advent of Internet has dramatically changed the way people and institutions function. It
has led to tremendous change in the way libraries function and offer services to their users.
At present, the libraries actively procure, organize, display and issue e-forms of books,
journals, newspapers, theses and dissertations. This is also due to change in information
seeking behavior of users. The new generation of users prefer online resources as they want
all information at the click of mouse. The e- resources have certain inherent characteristic
features which offer convenience to the users. This lesson discusses the concept and
importance of e-resources. It deals with different types of e-resources, their advantages and
disadvantages.

E-RESOURCES

An e- resource is material which requires computer mediation in order to access its content
and make it useful. Both online and offline resources such as CD-ROMs fall within the scope
of e- resources. The term e-resource refers to all the products which a library provides
through a computer network.

The electronic resources are also known as online information resources covering
bibliographic databases, electronic reference books, search engines for full text books, and
digital collections of data. They include both “born digital” material which has been produced
directly online. For example-e- journals, databases, and print resources which have been
scanned and digitized. The electronic resources, e-journals, online databases are not “owned”
by the libraries as they own the print material. Ownership of electronic resources lies with the
providers of these resources. Access to the electronic resources may be free via Internet or
may be available against a fee.

Some of the examples of e- resources are magazines, encyclopedia, newspapers, journals or

articles published in them. These may be accessed on Internet connected devices such as
computers, tablets, smart phones, etc

Advantages of e- resources
E- resources have many advantages; some of these are :

1. E-resources may be accessed over the Internet. The users need not physically visit the
library. This is very useful for the users who reside in remote and far-flung areas. The
users may download the articles and save them in their PCs.
 2. Many users may access the same resource, i.e., article or journal at the same time.
3. E-resources may be accessed from anywhere, anytime as per the convenience of the
users.
4. The users may search a large number of resources in one go through a single search
interface.
5. E-Resources also provide usage statistics, which help the library staff in finding out
the usage of the product.
6. Articles/issues of journals appear online before their print version is available.
7. Hypertext format and links of e- resources lead users to related content and articles.
8. Electronic resources have audio, video and animation content which is not present in
print format.
9. The subscription of e- resources helps libraries in saving space.

Disadvantages of e- resources

1. The readers need to have access to Internet in order to read electronic resources.
2. If a library cancels or stops subscription to an e-journal, it is not certain that the
library will get access to back issues of that journal. Whereas, library having printed
material certainly has back issues of that journal in its possession. In case of e-books
too, if a library stops subscription to e- books, it is denied access to the e- book.
Whereas the physical copy once bought always remains in the possession of the
library.
3. Use of e- resources entails reading on screen which is tedious and harmful too.

INTERNET RESOURCES

The traditional sources of information in any branch of knowledge are the written words and,
therefore, information sources in a given discipline were (and even now) referred to
as"literature"that included all definitive sources of information including journals,
encyclopaedias, handbooks, textbooks, in series, progress reports, annual reviews,
conference proceedings, dissertations and databooks. However, with the growth of other
forms of dissemination of information specially on electronic media, the term sources" was
increasingly used in preference to
Internet information resources can be defined as resources (including documents and non-
Documents) in electronic format that provide information or an indicator to the information
and are accessible over the Internet.

Electronic resources and Internet resources are related but not entirely synonymous terms,
especially within the context of information sciences.

Electronic resources refer to any information or data that is stored and accessed in a digital
format. This encompasses a wide range of materials, including but not limited to:

 E-books and e-journals

 Online databases

 CD-ROMs and DVDs

 Digital archives and repositories

 Software applications

 Digital libraries

Internet Resources

Internet resources are a subset of electronic resources that are specifically accessed via the
Internet. These include:

 Websites

 Online articles

 Blogs and forums

 Social media content

 Streaming media (audio, video)

 Cloud-based databases and services

Why Internet Resources are Called Electronic Resources

In information sciences, the term "electronic resources" is often preferred over "Internet
resources" for several reasons:
 1. Broader Scope: "Electronic resources" is an inclusive term that covers all types of
digital information, regardless of the delivery medium. This includes both online and
offline digital resources.

2. Technical Accuracy: Not all digital resources are accessed via the Internet. Some
might be available through other electronic means, such as local intranets, proprietary
databases, or physical media like CD-ROMs. Using the term "electronic resources"
avoids this limitation.

3. Consistency and Precision: In academic and professional contexts, precision is

crucial. By using "electronic resources," information professionals ensure they are
encompassing all possible formats of digital information, which is important for
cataloging, classification, and resource management.

4. Historical Context: The term "electronic resources" predates the widespread use of
the Internet and was used to describe digital materials available on other media like
CD-ROMs and floppy disks.

WEB RESOURCES

Web resources are a specific type of Internet resource and, by extension, a subset of
electronic resources. They refer to any digital content that is accessible via the World Wide
Web. This category includes:

 Websites: Pages and sites that provide information, services, or interactive features.

 Web Pages: Individual documents or content units within websites.

 Web Applications: Software that runs on web browsers and provides interactive
functionalities.

 Online Databases: Databases that can be accessed through a web interface.

 Social Media: Content from social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn, etc.

 Multimedia Content: Audio, video, and other media files accessible through the
web.

 Blogs and Wikis: User-generated content platforms.

Relationship to Electronic and Internet Resources

 Electronic Resources: This is the broadest category, encompassing all digital content
regardless of the medium of delivery. This includes CD-ROMs, DVDs, offline
databases, and more.

 Internet Resources: This term narrows the scope to digital content accessible via the
Internet, which includes web resources but also other types of Internet-based content
such as email and FTP servers.

 Web Resources: These are specifically the digital content that is available through
web technologies (HTTP/HTTPS protocols).

Why Web Resources are Called Electronic Resources

1. Inclusivity: In information sciences, classifying web resources under the umbrella of

electronic resources ensures all forms of digital information are accounted for,
whether they are accessed online or through other electronic means.

2. Consistency: Using "electronic resources" as an umbrella term maintains consistency

in cataloging, organizing, and managing digital materials across various platforms and
formats.

3. Technological Evolution: The term "electronic resources" encompasses both current

and future technological advancements. As the web evolves, so too will the types of
resources it provides, all of which remain part of the broader electronic resources
category.

SCHOLARY AND ACADEMIC INFORMATION

The internet has revolutionized access to information. While vast, it can be challenging to
discern scholarly and academic sources from less reliable content. This lecture will explore
how to identify and utilize credible academic resources online.
What is Scholarly and Academic Information?

 Peer-reviewed: Scholarly articles have undergone a rigorous review process by

experts in the field, ensuring credibility and quality.
 Credibility of source: Authored by academics, researchers, or institutions with
established reputations.
 Methodology: Research methods are clearly explained, allowing for evaluation and
replication.
 Citations and references: Links to previous research, demonstrating the scholarly
conversation and providing context.

Types of Scholarly and Academic Resources Online

1. Academic Journals and Articles

 Peer-reviewed Journals: These are periodicals in which submitted articles

undergo rigorous evaluation by experts before publication. Examples include
Nature, The Lancet, and The Journal of American Medical Association
(JAMA).

 Open Access Journals: These journals provide free access to their articles.
Examples include PLOS ONE, BioMed Central, and DOAJ (Directory of
Open Access Journals).

2. Academic Databases

Databases are a collection of records pertaining to a specific field of study. A

number of bibliographic databases with abstracts of chapters in books, journal articles
and conference proceedings are now available on various media. A database is an
organized collection of information. There contents can be easily accessed, updated
and managed, can be found in different formats, accessed via the Internet using
browsers. Library databases include thousands of magazine articles, newspapers, and
scholarly journals are found in the databases. They can be:

 Subscription-based Databases: These require institutional access or

subscriptions. Examples include JSTOR, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest.
  Free Databases: Databases that are freely accessible. Examples include
PubMed, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), and Google
Scholar.

3. Institutional Repositories

 University Repositories: Many universities provide access to the research

output of their students and faculty, including theses, dissertations, and
research papers. Examples include Harvard’s DASH (Digital Access to
Scholarship at Harvard) and MIT’s DSpace.

4. Books and Monographs

 E-books: Many scholarly books are available in electronic format. Examples

include Google Books, Project Gutenberg, and institutional library catalogs.

5. Conference Papers and Proceedings

 Academic Conferences: Papers presented at conferences can often be found

online. Examples include the IEEE Xplore Digital Library for engineering and
technology papers and the ACM Digital Library for computing machinery.

6. Government and Non-Government Organization (NGO) Publications

 Reports and Data: Research reports, policy papers, and statistical data from
reputable organizations. Examples include the World Bank, WHO, and the
U.S. Census Bureau.

II. Accessing Scholarly Information

1. University Libraries

 Most universities provide access to a wide range of online databases, journals,

and e-books through their libraries. Students and faculty can often access these
resources remotely using their institutional credentials.

2. Public Libraries
  Some public libraries also offer access to academic databases and e-books.
Examples include the New York Public Library and the British Library.

3. Research Networks and Social Platforms

 ResearchGate: A professional network for researchers to share papers, ask

and answer questions, and find collaborators.

 Academia.edu: A platform for academics to share research papers and follow

the work of others in their field.

4. Search Engines and Tools

 Google Scholar: A freely accessible web search engine that indexes the full
text or metadata of scholarly literature.

 Microsoft Academic: A comprehensive search engine for scholarly articles

and research.

E-Resources

ACBF Virtual LibraryACCA ResourcesAfrica PortalBritannicaCabell's ListCambridge journalsCanadian Science

PublishingChicago JournalsChronicle of Higher EducationCochrane LibraryDirectory Of Open Access
BooksDirectory of Open Access JournalsEbook CentralEBSCO eBooksEconomic SurveyEdinburgh University
Press JournalsElgar eBooksEmeraldEthosHealth LibraryHenry Stewart Talks-Business CollectionHenry Stewart
Talks-Biomed CollectionHEDBIBIEEEIMF elibraryInformsJOVEJSTORKenya Information Preservation
SocietyKESRA Knowledge RepositoryKluwer OnlineLexisNexisLiebert OnlineLiverpool JournalsLyell
CollectionMathematical Science PublishersMSD ManualsNational Digital Library of IndiaNatureOECD
iLibraryOnline WileyOvidOxford JournalsProject MusePsycArticlesPsychotherapy Video
LibraryPsychotherapy.net Trial-Sociology collectionPublic Domain ResourcesResearch4LifeResearch Methods
SupercourseRoyal Society of Chemistry JournalsSage Research Methods & 2020 CasesSCITESpringer
eBooksTaylor & Taylor and Francis eBooksTaylor & Francis JournalsThe Kenya LawThe Teaching
ProfessorTimes Higher EducationUniversity of California PressUnited Nations iLibraryVisiblebodyVital Source
ExploreWHEDWorld Bank DatabasesAsk a Librarian for