1. The Internet Public Library (IPL): An Exploratory Case Study on User Perceptions.
- Author
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Maceli, Monica, Wiedenbeck, Susan, and Abels, Eileen
- Subjects
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LIBRARIES & the Internet , *INTERNET in library reference services , *SURVEYS , *INTERVIEWING , *RESEARCH on Internet users , *LIBRARY evaluation , *PUBLIC libraries , *COLLEGE students , *CONSUMER attitudes , *INFORMATION services , *INTERNET , *LIBRARIANS , *LIBRARY reference services , *REFERENCE sources , *SEARCH engines , *ACCESS to information , *MEDICAL coding - Abstract
The Internet Public Library (IPL), now known as ipl2, was created in 1995 with the mission of serving the public by providing librarian-recommended Internet resources and reference help. We present an exploratory case study on public perceptions of an "Internet public library," based on qualitative analysis of interviews with ten college student participants: some current users and others unfamiliar with the IPL. The exploratory interviews revealed some confusion around the IPL's name and the types of resources and services that would be offered. Participants made many positive comments about the IPL's resource quality, credibility, and personal help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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