A 'virtual library' is broadly speaking a WEB SITE, WEB ZONE or WEB PAGE.
This web site is a digital or electronic version of a regular library where...
- the library/room is a welcoming website or web zone (perhaps on your 'VLE', school intranet or website)
- the shelves and box-files are easy to use web pages
- the books and leaflets can also be web pages with helpful text or links to documents or useful websites.
Then, all of the usual user support, awareness, evaluation, integration that you usually do for a 'shelves library' is still needed too for your virtual library.
A 'virtual library', therefore, will be developed as part of your school, college or agency's website, Intranet, virtual learning environment or other online resources and can make use of e-mail and other digital media (like video, podcasts and software).
In our view a 'Virtual Connexions Library' means primary* use of ‘electronic’ resources, including:
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Websites: eg, links to SortItOnline.com (home page and deep links to zones of the site, like 'Year 9'), UCAS.com, Jobs4U
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Software: eg Kangaroo, JED, Kudos
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Communications Technology: eg texting, web chat - eg Connexions Direct; FRANK (drugs e-mail advice); RSS ‘feeds’
AND so also:
...online video/podcasts, PowerPoints, e-white boards…
*- in practice a virtual library also includes paper! You will usually need to provide some back-up, reference, gap-filling and promotional materials IN PAPER aswell!
Getting started
Self assessment checklist
What ICT does differently?
Will IT work for you?
For advice or further support on Virtual Connexions Libraries contact us
Go to Virtual Connexions/Careers Library Zone home page
