Creating a Virtual Library : A How-to-Do-It Manual

Virtual libraries offer a single interface from which users can find out about (and even tour ) the library, examine its catalog, go to online databases, enter an interactive children’s room, find out about special collections or community services, and explore the rest of the Web. Now, MCI Cybrarian of the Year Frederick Stielow has written a guide for librarians who are planning, setting up, and maintaining a virtual library. This detailed manual will help even the smallest institution localize Web resources without costly equipment and phone lines. Part I, “Rethinking the Web”, considers the Web as a new medium for providing library services and offers advice about rethinking Web design principles in a library context. Part II, “Project Planning and Technical Framework”, covers all stages of putting a virtual library online: needs analysis, planning, maintenance, and eventual enhancement and change. Part III, “Collections and Special Resource Development”, lays out the principles for electronic collection development and shows how to build special collections ranging from children’s sites to multimedia collections. Librarians will find successful strategies here to ensure that the special qualities of their physical library are translated into cyberspace.