Academic libraries have traditionally been viewed as central to the search for and acquisition of
knowledge in learning. However, the Internet has become, because of its convenience and
easiness of use, an alternative tool for university students seeking and accessing information.
Some literature shows that the popularity of student learning using the Internet challenges
physical libraries. Students must discover information about their academic tasks, which
comprise a big part of the life of a student. Students therefore out to receive credible knowledge
to excel in their academics. Libraries and the Internet are a key knowledge sources and widely
used by students for these purposes. A library is a place where you may purchase and read
numerous books, instructive publications and newspapers. In contrast to a library, the Internet is
a computer network that allows students to access material of any kind simply by accessing their
network. As a source of information for students, libraries and the internet have many
comparable yet various elements such as time, confidence and accessibility.
Not everything is ready available on the internet. The internet accounts for a minor proportion of
publications. There is restricted access to search engines such as Google, DuckDuckGO, Ping,
and Yahoo. ALA claims that just 8% of all newspapers and limited number of books are
available on the Internet. Books and journals contain the academic information which are most
dependable. Access to this information is conversely limited and monitored by librarians in the
academic community. These professionals can also assist scholars find what they are precisely
looking for. Preliminary search steps should begin with printed indexes and subject volumes.
On and on, books are often claimed to be more reliable than the Internet. This is because books
are published by an editor responsible for factual accuracy. On the contrary, the internet contains
information that can be partial and biased. In addition, online sources involve plagiarism and
infringements of copyright. For example, one in five websites reviewed for a research at the
University of Helsinki contained false information. It can therefore be argued that libraries are
essential for easy access to books.
The library is a place to learn and not to sleep or rest. Regardless of how advanced technology is,
libraries cannot be replaced. The library is always better to use because you can find everything
in the library and, unlike the internet, it is free. You can ask librarians for help when you seek
information. You do this on your own when you seek information on the internet and do not
know the quality of this information.
Books are, of course, divided into different categories and sections in libraries. These divisions
are often helpful in finding books for students. However, it is often difficult for students to learn
and to know how to use these different sections. They are obliged to accept assistance from
librarians who frequently organize the library. In addition, these catalogs require time while
students know how to use the catalog or divisions of books. On the other hand, information can
be easily unruffled by the student and requires less time and effort, the student can merely
connect to the internet and launch a search engine. Furthermore, students may quickly determine
whether they can find the information they require by just clicking and scrolling through each
site rather than relying on vast amounts of material. Therefore, students can acquire knowledge
extremely rapidly.
Another significant distinction is the trustworthiness of libraries and the Internet. When students
finish their jobs, they must be reliable because the academic work they produce must be original
and accurate. Because libraries carefully pick the contents they supply, the books discovered at
the library are extremely reliable. To put it another way, librarians diligently research and
examine the most reputable reading materials before displaying them at the library. In addition,
the library has a wide range of periodicals and research papers produced by specialists in the
field, as well as books authored by well-known writers who have conducted substantial research
in the topic. As a result, the vast majority of library books are extremely trustworthy. In contrast
to libraries, the internet is less dependable because it is simple for anyone to start a website and
post what they think about a given issue. People can easily post whatever type of material they
desire to the Internet. The students' goal would be to determine the website's trustworthiness.
Not only is the internet highly dependable, it is also accessible. Libraries are more restricted
merely because of their opening days’ limits. The majority of libraries are shut down on public
holidays and at night. Furthermore, libraries in the globe cannot hold any book; a restricted
number of books is available. Students don't get the book they need sometimes. Some books in
the library are also out of date due to the extensive process of publication, which can easily be
mistaken when the book is published. The internet, on the other hand, is more accessible. If they
have Internet connectivity, students have access to the Internet 24 hours a day. Consequently,
looking for information is not restricted. Unlike libraries, students have internet access to
everything. More essential, the books in the library are up-to-date and new information on the
Internet.
Consequently, the value of print collections is decreasing. If the crisis of coronavirus has taught
us anything, our circulating printed collections have become irrelevant. Overnight, most libraries
have removed access owing to viral spread worries. Strangely enough, demand were low for
these materials. Libraries had to rethink their websites given that they are the main channel of
patron interaction. In accordance with the principles of usability, look for library websites that
are more user pleasant, responsive and customizable.
Overall libraries and the Internet provide students with valuable information. They differ in
terms of features such as dependability, accessibility and open sessions despite their
commonality. The advantages and disadvantages of both students should be carefully observed
and an appropriate mechanism used to carry out their academic work. The Internet is not a
library replacement, but a search tool which can be used besides traditional library sources. .