E-Resource

E-Resources: In today’s digital age, electronic resources, or e-resources, have become integral to our daily lives. E-resources are any online electronic content, such as articles, books, journals, databases, and multimedia materials. These resources are accessible through various devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and e-readers.

E-resources, or electronic resources, refer to any online electronic content, such as articles, books, journals, databases, and multimedia materials. These resources can be accessed through various devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and e-readers. E-resources have become increasingly popular in today’s digital age due to their accessibility, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, customizability, and eco-friendliness. They have also significantly impacted various domains, including education, research, healthcare, and business.

Types of E-Resources

There are various types of e-resources, each catering to different needs and interests. These include:

1. E-books:

   E-books, short for electronic books, are digital versions of printed books that can be read on electronic devices such as computers, tablets, e-readers, and smartphones. They can be downloaded from online sources and often purchased or borrowed from bookstores, libraries, and other websites.

   E-books have become increasingly popular due to their convenience, portability, and accessibility. They do not require physical storage space, can be carried around quickly, and can be accessed from almost anywhere with an internet connection. E-books also offer features that printed books do not, such as adjustable font size, bookmarks, and search functions.

   There are various e-book formats, including PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and AZW. Each format has its advantages and disadvantages regarding compatibility with different devices and features, but many e-readers and reading apps support multiple formats.

2. E-journals:

   E-journals, short for electronic journals, are digital versions of academic or professional journals that are available online. They offer the same content as their print counterparts but are published and distributed digitally, often through online databases or platforms.

   E-journals cover various subjects and are published by multiple publishers and organizations, including academic institutions, professional associations, and commercial publishers. Depending on the publisher’s policy, they can be accessed through subscription-based or open-access models.

   E-journals offer several advantages over print journals. They are easily accessible and searchable, allowing researchers and professionals to find relevant articles and research quickly. They also offer features such as hyperlinks, multimedia content, and interactive elements that enhance the reading experience.

   E-journals are often available through online databases or platforms, such as JSTOR, ScienceDirect, and PubMed. These platforms offer various journals in various disciplines and often provide advanced search and filtering options to help users find relevant content.

3. Research Databases:

   A research database is a digital collection of information compiled and organized for academic or scientific research. These databases contain articles, journals, books, conference proceedings, and other relevant field materials.

   Research databases provide access to vast information which researchers and scholars can use to support their work. They often include advanced search functions, allowing users to quickly and efficiently find relevant content.

4. Multimedia Resources: Multimedia resources combine different types of media, such as text, images, audio, and video, to create an interactive and engaging learning or informational experience. These resources can be used for educational, entertainment, or marketing purposes.Examples of multimedia resources include:
   1. Interactive e-learning courses combine text, images, audio, and video to create an engaging learning experience. They often include quizzes and assessments to test understanding.
   2. Virtual and augmented reality experiences use digital technology to create an immersive environment to explore and interact with. They are commonly used in education, gaming, and entertainment.
   3. Podcasts and webinars: These audio and video recordings can be downloaded or streamed online. They are often used for educational or informational purposes and can be accessed from anywhere via the internet.
   4. Infographics are visual representations of data or information that use graphics, images, and text to communicate complex concepts in a simplified way.
   5. Social media posts can include text, images, and videos to create engaging content that a broad audience can share and interact with.

   Multimedia resources can be accessed through various platforms and websites, such as YouTube, Vimeo, Khan Academy, Coursera, and TED. They can also be created and shared through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Benefits of E-Resources

There are many benefits to using e-resources, which are digital versions of books, journals, databases, and other materials that are available online. Here are some of the main benefits:

1. Convenience: E-resources can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing users to search for and access materials without having to go to a library or other location physically.
2. Cost-effectiveness: E-resources can be less expensive than traditional print materials because they do not require printing, shipping, or storage. Many e-resources are free or at a reduced cost, making them more accessible to users.
3. Speed: E-resources can be accessed and downloaded quickly, making it easy to find and access information when needed.
4. Searchability: E-resources are often searchable, meaning users can quickly find relevant information using search terms and filters. This can save time and effort compared to searching through physical materials.
5. Interactive features: E-resources often include interactive features such as hyperlinks, multimedia content, and interactive elements, which can enhance the reading and learning experience.
6. Sustainability: E-resources are more sustainable than print materials because they do not require paper, ink, or other physical resources, which can reduce the environmental impact.

Impact of electronics resources in Library

Electronic resources have significantly impacted libraries, transforming how information is accessed, shared, and stored.

1. Increased Accessibility: Electronic resources have increased the accessibility of information in libraries, allowing users to access a vast amount of information from anywhere in the world, provided they have an internet connection.
2. Expanded Collection: Electronic resources have enabled libraries to expand their collections beyond traditional print materials, offering access to a wide range of electronic resources such as e-books, e-journals, and databases.
3. Improved Efficiency: Electronic resources have made information retrieval more efficient, with users able to search for and find information quickly using keywords or search terms.
4. Cost Savings: Electronic resources have reduced the cost of acquiring and maintaining physical collections, as well as the cost of printing and shipping materials.
5. Customization: Electronic resources allow users to customize their search and reading experience, such as highlighting text, taking notes, and adjusting font sizes and colors.
6. Remote Access: Electronic resources have enabled libraries to offer remote access to their collections, allowing users to access library resources from home or other off-site locations.
7. Preservation: Electronic resources have enabled libraries to preserve their collections more effectively, with digital copies being more accessible to store and maintain than physical copies.

E-resource life cycle:

1. Discovery: The awareness of a new e-resource originates from a faculty member’s request, a recommendation from a subject librarian, an advertisement, a message in a forum, or any other source. The librarian then locates information about the e-resources that might include, for example, the bibliographical details of an e-journal, the coverage period available, the packages that include the e-journal, and the interface or interfaces though which such packages are offered. 
2. Trial: A librarian often wants to try out an e-resource before deciding whether to purchase a license. A trial enables the librarian to offer the e-resource to some or all users – who may include patrons and librarians alike – and then base a decision on their feedback. During the trial process, the librarian activates the e-resource in the desired areas of the library environment, notifies the relevant audience, and obtains feedback. Librarians pay considerable attention to specific issues when testing an e-resource. 
3. Selection: Once the trial is over. The librarian decides whether to acquire the e-resource. Not purchasing the e-resource results in its deactivation in the library environment (if it were activated previously as part of the trial process). 
4. Acquisition: If the librarian decides to go forward and subscribe to the resource, he or she carries out an acquisition process that somewhat resembles the process for print resources; however, an additional level of detail is required, such as information about the license and the availability of the resource to various populations of users. Also, when a library is acquiring e-journals as part of a package from an e-resource aggregator, such as EBSCO, the librarian needs to know which journals are covered by the package and for what period of time; ideally, the librarian would have the opinion to pay one lamp sum of the entire package or to pay separately for each title. 
5. Access: Access, of course, is a significant issue when dealing with e-resources. Once a library has acquired an e-resource, the librarians want to ensure it is well used. First, they need to make sure that users can access it easily. 
6. The decision to renew or cancel: An e-resource subscription is typically valid for a defined time period. When the period ends, the librarian must either continue or cancel the subscription. Unlike the decision at the selection phase, this decision is based on the information accumulated in the management system, such as the actual usage of the resource. At the same time, it was available, the interface’s reliable, and the provider’s responsive. Whatever the outcome of the decision – renewal or cancellation – the system needs to support it. Furthermore, even after a subscription has been cancelled, the library might have perpetual access or archiving rights to the data, another area that librarians must deal with on an outgoing basis.