I love libraries large and small. Tiny rural libraries as well as
marble-fronted university libraries.
Since I grew up in a place and time without library access, I have a deep love a appreciation for physical libraries.
As a researcher, I’ve had the rare privilege to use amazing
libraries such as the Fred. W. Smith Library for the Study of George
Washington, Harvard University, Boston Athenaeum, and Columbia University. Nothing can take the place of actually seeing
historic documents. But research trips
cost a lot of money so it isn’t always possible to travel to do library
research. Publishers do not pay the
expenses for authors as they travel to do research--Gasp! That might come as a surprise for new authors
at the beginning of their careers. Nope.
You are on your own, kiddies.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t access the information you
need. Fortunately today, great libraries
have made research possible by putting primary source documents online. It is
truly amazing the types of primary sources you can access from your computer,
anytime and anywhere. In a matter of
seconds, while sitting on my porch, I can access documents such as the patent
for the Wright brothers’ plane, or letters written by George Washington, and
see actual footage of the D Day landing. I love it!
 |
| With so many primary source documents online today, you can do first class research from anywhere! |
Today via the Internet we have access to unlimited
information. What do you want to find
out?
Carla Killough McClafferty
Thanks for reminding us how lucky we are our libraries are online, Carla!
ReplyDeleteAnd not just for research - though that's quite the treat.
I love reserving books online at my Chicago Public Library, then trotting down the street to my small library to pick them up!