library and/or google?

[europeanlibrary]

I am curious what you do when you are looking for a particular work, or information about an author.

Do you visit a library (website)? Or do you think libraries are no more necessary?

[jab]

I am curious what you do when you are looking for a particular work, or information about an author.

Do you visit a library (website)? Or do you think libraries are no more necessary?

I use the internet for quick or broad reference, the library for long reads, and personally-owned books for study.

Wikipedia, online dictionaries, brief commentaries, searchable text, and the ability to copy and paste material make the internet excellent without peer for quick reference and getting one's bearings on a new topic.

If reading the whole of a lengthier work, however, I care less about e-text's searchability and livingroom-availability. I prefer the physical book: the portability (I don't own enough $ for a Palm!), gentleness to long-reading eyes, and even pure smell.

The few times I have really, really studied a book, I have just bought the book so that I could mark in it. What is faster for reference and reading than folding page corners, circling or underlining, rereading, and scribbling down quick strokes of ideas in margins?!

[Mugwump101]

I use the internet for quick or broad reference, the library for long reads, and personally-owned books for study.

Wikipedia, online dictionaries, brief commentaries, searchable text, and the ability to copy and paste material make the internet excellent without peer for quick reference and getting one's bearings on a new topic.

If reading the whole of a lengthier work, however, I care less about e-text's searchability and livingroom-availability. I prefer the physical book: the portability (I don't own enough $ for a Palm!), gentleness to long-reading eyes, and even pure smell.

The few times I have really, really studied a book, I have just bought the book so that I could mark in it. What is faster for reference and reading than folding page corners, circling or underlining, rereading, and scribbling down quick strokes of ideas in margins?!


You pretty much said it. I'm the same. I was doing a biography on Asimov and I read his memoir , "I, Asimov" because it was much more fullfilling than internet searches but I do use the internet for quick reference information.

The library and the computer are both valuable tools.

[SaGe]

I use google, or go her or to Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org) to read the book (or at least part of it) online.

I also go to libraries.

[Logos]

This site also happens to have an *excellent* collection of author biographies, e-texts and an advanced search function :p :

http://www.online-literature.com/author_index.php

[kilted exile]

I would never rely solely on the internet for finding information for research (especially wikipedia, which anyone go into and edit an entry) Use of the internet is good for finding information, but I genarally am more thorough trying to find back up information unless I have previous experience of the validity of the site.

[Demona]

Definitely both. Althought the Internet helps a lot, sometimes it's impossible to find what you are looking for. As to reading some specific work, i'd definitely prefer having the book in my hands, as to various kinds of information, info from the internet is ok. There're lots of trusted webpages...

[ennison]

The internet is handy for quick basic info but it only holds a fraction of what is in real text form. It's also a bit like keeping all your books in a pile on the floor.

[me_07]

information bout author ...i think google will be the best...as u could see all new updates n evrything but should never forget to chk in library too..

[europeanlibrary]

Thanks for your reactions to my former post (google and/or library)!

From your comments I understand you attach great value to libraries in general.

This makes me wonder if you have heard about The European Library - an initiative of national libraries in Europe

[starbuck]

I used to rely on my library's eletronic journals. But now since I have been working at the library, I rely on books and the journals--though trying to find what you need in references or periodicals can be tiresome! :lol:

[*Classic*Charm*]

This makes me wonder if you have heard about The European Library - an initiative of national libraries in Europe

Haha. Way to be subtle, Europeanlibrary!!:goof: