24/7 Library

By Meg McCaffrey -- School Library Journal, 3/1/2004

Thanks to a brand-new product created by Thomson Gale, librarians are getting exactly what they asked for.

The Gale Virtual Reference Library offers libraries their choice of 117 e-reference resources—including encyclopedias, almanacs, and popular research books—that were recently available only in paper format. Libraries can use the new digital resources to create their own customized online library. Moreover, patrons will be able to access these materials from remote locations—which is great news for library users, since traditionally many of these materials couldn't leave the building.

Currently, Gale's virtual library offers references mostly geared to middle school and high school students, such as the World Press Encyclopedia, the Contemporary Authors New Revision Series, and Major Acts of Congress. However, the company plans to add more e-reference resources geared to elementary and middle school students. (To review the content list, visit www.gale.com/ebooks; click on "Get a Quote" for prices.)

The reference works can be linked from a library's OPAC by adding their MARC records to the library's catalog database. The online reference resources have navigation features such as hyperlinked indexes and tables of contents. Libraries can also receive a hard copy of each selected e-book for archiving purposes.