In Part One we had a closer look at the many collections available at the IPL. Today I'd like to examine some other great sections of the IPL, namely:
* FARQs
* The Reference Center
* IPL Pathfinders
* Especially for Librarians
* IPL Exhibit Hall
FARQ
The IPL FARQ (Frequently Asked Reference Questions) is an extremely helpful resource for librarians and patrons alike. This resource is great for those questions we as librarians tend to get ALL THE TIME at a public library reference desk, such as:
* Where can I find Cliff's Notes?
* Do you have civil service exams?
* How can I find out what events happened on the day I was born?
* Where can I find literary criticism on [X] novel?
* Where can I find a repair manual for my car online?
The Reference Center
There are so many 'reference desk' collections out there -- refdesk.com; lii.org Reference Topics; Martindale's Reference Desk to name just a few (not to mention every library seems to put together their own reference links!) -- it is sometimes difficult to weed out the best. The IPL's Reference Desk, however, is a clear choice as one of the best reference collections around. Some highlights that make it stand out include: the Ask a Question service (they'll get back to you by email); the annotations and subject headings given to the resources; and the wide variety of resources included in each section. Check out the Entertainment & Leisure category, for example.
IPL Pathfinders
An invaluable bookmark, the IPL has a handy pathfinder on just about every topic you can imagine. Each pathfinder not only highlights excellent sources of information on particular topics but also recommends research strategies and places to turn for additional information. Another aspect of the IPL pathfinders that I think is particularly valuable is the way in which each pathfinder includes both Internet as well as print resources. In a time when most patrons seem to think everything can be found on the Internet, I think this is particularly useful. Just a few of the IPL pathfinders include:
* Beginners' Guide to Mutual Funds
* Surnames (Geneology)
* Migraine Headaches
* Punk and Indie Rock
* Improvisational Comedy
* Clothing From Various Eras
* Celtic Culture
Check out the complete list of IPL Pathfinders, organized by subject.
Especially for Librarians
From the site: "The Services Division of the Internet Public Library strives to increase the value of the Internet for librarians and information professionals. This section of the IPL, "Especially For Librarians," exists to supply resources and materials to support the professional development of librarians and information professionals, and to train and inform about the use of the Internet in library and information settings." Sections of the Especially for Librarians site include: Issues; Advocacy; Fun Facts; On The Job; News; Employment; Libraries Online; Organizing the Web; and Internet For Libraries.
* FARQs
* The Reference Center
* IPL Pathfinders
* Especially for Librarians
* IPL Exhibit Hall
FARQ
The IPL FARQ (Frequently Asked Reference Questions) is an extremely helpful resource for librarians and patrons alike. This resource is great for those questions we as librarians tend to get ALL THE TIME at a public library reference desk, such as:
* Where can I find Cliff's Notes?
* Do you have civil service exams?
* How can I find out what events happened on the day I was born?
* Where can I find literary criticism on [X] novel?
* Where can I find a repair manual for my car online?
The Reference Center
There are so many 'reference desk' collections out there -- refdesk.com; lii.org Reference Topics; Martindale's Reference Desk to name just a few (not to mention every library seems to put together their own reference links!) -- it is sometimes difficult to weed out the best. The IPL's Reference Desk, however, is a clear choice as one of the best reference collections around. Some highlights that make it stand out include: the Ask a Question service (they'll get back to you by email); the annotations and subject headings given to the resources; and the wide variety of resources included in each section. Check out the Entertainment & Leisure category, for example.
IPL Pathfinders
An invaluable bookmark, the IPL has a handy pathfinder on just about every topic you can imagine. Each pathfinder not only highlights excellent sources of information on particular topics but also recommends research strategies and places to turn for additional information. Another aspect of the IPL pathfinders that I think is particularly valuable is the way in which each pathfinder includes both Internet as well as print resources. In a time when most patrons seem to think everything can be found on the Internet, I think this is particularly useful. Just a few of the IPL pathfinders include:
* Beginners' Guide to Mutual Funds
* Surnames (Geneology)
* Migraine Headaches
* Punk and Indie Rock
* Improvisational Comedy
* Clothing From Various Eras
* Celtic Culture
Check out the complete list of IPL Pathfinders, organized by subject.
Especially for Librarians
From the site: "The Services Division of the Internet Public Library strives to increase the value of the Internet for librarians and information professionals. This section of the IPL, "Especially For Librarians," exists to supply resources and materials to support the professional development of librarians and information professionals, and to train and inform about the use of the Internet in library and information settings." Sections of the Especially for Librarians site include: Issues; Advocacy; Fun Facts; On The Job; News; Employment; Libraries Online; Organizing the Web; and Internet For Libraries.
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