Chapter 3: Libraries And Portals

Question 1

Customisable interface

Answer 1

An interface that can be changed to suit a user’s personal requirements.

Question 2

Database

Answer 2

An electronic collection of logically organised records.

Question 3

Electronic book

Answer 3

A book published in electronic form; also called an ebook.

Question 4

Electronic journals

Answer 4

A scholarly journal published in electric form; also called an e-journal.

Question 5

Enterprise portal

Answer 5

A portal limited to an organisation. They are usually closed and provide access only to employees of the organisation.

Question 6

Federated searching

Answer 6

This type of search allows a user to search across multiple databases with a single query. The results are aggregated and presented to the user as a single list.

Question 7

Gateway

Answer 7

A gateway serves as a single point of entry to many information resources

Question 8

Government portal

Answer 8

A portal limited to government information.

Question 9

Interlending

Answer 9

The lending of library material by one library to another.

Question 10

Library catalogue

Answer 10

The main database of a library that can be used to search for information resources held by that particular library.

Question 11

Library website

Answer 11

A set of web pages maintained by a library that often serves as a portal to services and resources offered by the institution.

Question 12

Link resolving

Answer 12

Link resolving makes it easy for users of portals, gateways and library websites to click through to the resource they are searching for by checking that a copy is available,
and that the institution owns a licence to make it available.

Question 13

Portal

Answer 13

A website that has a federated search function, which means that users can use a single log-on to access a variety of platforms, and search all of these simultaneously
instead of having to log on to and search each database separately.

Question 14

Regional portal

Answer 14

Where sources of information are limited to a particular geographic region.

Question 15

Subject portal

Answer 15

Gateways to sources of information limited to a particular field of study

Question 16

Public or community libraries

Answer 16

Public libraries are funded and maintained by local, district, provincial or national authorities. Anybody can access a public library for reference or research but usually only local residents, who have
registered with the library, may borrow physical sources. Some public libraries are reference libraries only and do not allow borrowing.

Question 17

Special libraries

Answer 17

Special libraries are funded and maintained by many different types of organisations, including:
private companies (e.g. law or engineering firms)
public authorities (e.g. municipalities)
international organisations (e.g. UNESCO)
research institutions ( g. museums and hospitals)
professional societies and organisations (e.g. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)).
The use of company libraries is usually limited to employees, while government bodies may allow bona fide researchers to access their libraries.

Question 18

Academic libraries

Answer 18

libraries are found at schools, colleges and universities. They serve the student body and faculty members, and provide support for teaching and research activities at the institution.

Question 19

National libraries

Answer 19

National libraries are the repository for a nation’s information. These libraries have the right of legal deposit, which means that for every document published in a country, a certain number of copies must
be supplied to the national library for safekeeping.

Question 20

Digital libraries

Answer 20

When we think of a library, we automatically imagine a physical space with plenty of books. With the advent of electronic sources of information, some people thought that the term library’ should no
longer be used, and many alternative names were suggested: ‘information centres, e-libraries’ or hybrid libraries. However, the term library has persisted and it is still the central role of libraries to
collect sources of information, organise them to facilitate access, preserve them and make them available for use.
Many libraries worldwide are digitising content to make valuable resources available to a wider audience. Rare historical manuscripts are now accessible for study via the internet, and many of them are
open access. These cultural heritage artefacts are no longer limited to select scholars who had to use them under strictly controlled circumstances. They are available to anybody with a computer and an
internet connection. The only real difference between a physical library and an electronic library is that the latter offers wider and easier access.

Question 21

Library catalogue

Answer 21

This is probably the most important feature of any library or library website. The catalogue makes it possible to find any information objects (e g. documents) contained in a library, whether physical
or electronic.

Question 22

Ask a librarian

Answer 22

‘Ask a librarian’ is an email and chat facility where an information specialist can be contacted with questions or issues related to the use of the library and the resources available. This is also known
as an ‘electronic reference service’

Question 23

Operating hours and location

Answer 23

Library websites provide the times they are open for visitors. They also provide a physical address and/or an interactive map that gives their location.

Question 24

Forms

Answer 24

You can usually download or access the forms you need to register as a library user from the site

Question 25

Training tutorials

Answer 25

Most library websites offer training tutorials to teach people how to use the available services.

Question 26

Guidelines for referencing

Answer 26

Many libraries provide guidelines on various referencing techniques for assignments. Additional information on referencing can be found in Chapter 9, section 9.3.

Question 27

Guidelines on plagiarism

Answer 27

Since plagiarism is such a serious issue, most library websites provide guidelines on what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. Chapter 8, section 8.9 contains additional information on plagiarism.

Question 28

Interlending

Answer 28

If a library does not have a book or a journal, they can request it from another local or international library (also called interlibrary loans). This service is often available to postgraduate students and
staff onlv.

Question 29

Library portal

Answer 29

A library portal allows users to search simultaneously across several databases and platforms for information resources

Question 30

Subject portals

Answer 30

Subject portals are gateways to sources of information limited to a particular field of study.
Library websites (portals) often contain subject portals for specific disciplines that have been created by subject librarians to provide students with easy access to some of the most important reference
works available through the library. Some of these resources may be available as open access, but in many cases you need to be a student at the university to gain access to the resources. Subject
portals on university library websites are also often known as library guides’ or ‘subject gateways*.

Question 31

Enterprise portals

Answer 31

Enterprise or corporate portals are portals in the true sense of the word. They offer federated searching (the ability to search multiple sources at once), customisability and communications features.
Enterprise portals are usually closed and only provide access to employees of the organisation

Question 32

Government and country portals

Answer 32

Countries and governments often develop portals that offer information on a particular country for citizens of that country and for other people interested in the country. A country portal usually contains
more general information about the country, for example, the geography. population, economy, history and tourism-related information. A government portal usually contains more formal information
about government structures, e-government documents, such as white papers and reports, and links to different government departments. Some countries also have portals dedicated to information
specifically aimed at non-residents, such as tourists.

Question 33

Regional portal

Answer 33

A regional portal is limited to a specific geographic region and offers information on that region. Typical information found on regional portals includes administrative information, details about essential
services operating in the area, culture and tourism, current news, emergency contact information and official documentation. It is a single point of entry to all the information a resident of that region would
need. They also often have a search function and the option to link to e-services for registered users.