Due to certain advancements in technology and the creation of the internet, libraries have seen little to no use. You might have heard many people say that there is no further need for a library thanks to the internet. Also, due to the internet libraries don’t see much use for education as they used to a decade ago. However, not everything is available on the internet, and a library has more to offer to students than just providing them with their study material. The internet is indeed a faster source to search for educational information than a library, but at what cost.
If you want to know the value of a library when it comes to education, then this article will be helpful to you. Books hold a lot of value and will continue to do so in the days to come. They are the single most reliable source for one-topic information. The information present inside them is complete, comprehensive, and free from errors.
Today, in this article, we will share some facts about why the library is always better for education than the internet.
1. EVERYTHING IS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET
There is a chance that you won’t find every type of educational material on the internet than you would in a library, which has thousands of books. The internet contains a fraction of the content published in hardcopy. According to the ALA, only 8 percent of books and journals published in hardcopy is available on the internet.
When it comes to educational material, the best source is always a library. The access we as users to search engines is somewhat limited. These search engines include google, yahoo, MSN, and AltaVista. Most of this educational material is inaccessible to users to avoid any misuse. However, Net neutrality plays a crucial role in access to data for users. Search the internet to learn more about net neutrality and its impact on libraries around the world. Without protective net neutrality guidelines, libraries may have a tough time achieving their goals of making information accessible to all.
2. EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL ON THE INTERNET IS NOT ORGANIZED
There exists no such system on the internet that regulates and catalogs all resources present on it. Typically, when someone searches something on the internet, it is as same as searching an uncategorized catalog. When we search for something on the internet, we only have access to a small part. Also, most of the time, the search results the internet gives us, are not relevant to what we searched. It wastes a lot of time. In a Library, everything remains organized. Whenever someone takes a book off a library shelf, the librarian makes sure it returns to its rightful place. When you want something, the librarian will guide you to the isle that contains the educational material you want. There is no time wasted in the whole searching process.
3. THERE IS NOT QUALITY CONTROL ON THE INTERNET
Quality control is something that the internet lacks. There exists a lot of open-sourced information on the internet. Anyone can develop a website and post incorrect information, which misleads the user.
4. LIBRARIES ARE A GREAT PLACE TO DO EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS
Although, students can use the internet to find information about the projects they need to complete. However, they will need a place to do them. Also available to them will be a plethora of research material in the form of books, which provides them with aid to complete their projects. In the end, a library is a physical space, and the internet is a virtual environment.
5. LIBRARIES DO NOT WASTE A PERSON’S TIME
The internet not only contains educational material, but it also has other things that can distract students. Due to the presence of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, students waste their time on these platforms, instead of searching for educational material and studying it. Some might say, these platforms are a great way of sharing information, be it social or educational. However, how can you be so sure that students will only use it for their studies?
Libraries, on the other hand, have strict rules that students have to follow. If a student visits a library, he or she is solely doing it for the sake of education. They have to maintain and follow strict library rules. These rules include switching off your phones, maintaining silence while reading books, and not talking loudly. Some libraries go as far as completely restrict the use of electronic devices inside the library.
THE FINAL WORDS
When it comes to the internet, it should be a tool that works in combination with other educational material sources such as a library. It is not to be used on its own, as it could end up providing inaccurate information. In the end, a library is more than a place for books. It is also a place that brings people together to share their knowledge. Today, we have shared some facts about why libraries are still better than the internet when it comes to education. So, it is a good idea that you ditch the internet for a while and visit a library near you.
