The University's Internet Public Library has taken research on the Internet a step further with the addition of a new online reference tool, A+.
Designed as a resource guide for high school and college students, A+ is divided into three main sections: how to develop a research paper, how to search the Internet for information, and a list of links to other writing and research sites on the Internet.
This is "one of the first times someone has tried to tell someone (else) exactly how to do research, and it's free of charge," said David Carter, head of collection development for the IPL.
The first section of A+ is a six-step guide on how to successfully complete a research paper, from choosing a topic to actually writing the paper.
"Research is a process with a lot of steps - writing is the last step. There is a lot more involved," said A+ creator Kathryn Schwartz. "I had been looking on the Internet for resources that would help students with term papers. I found that there was a lot of information ... but not a whole lot about the research process."
LSA senior Keith Gralitzer recently visited the A+ Website.
"I've struggled with some of these things before, like thesis statements, and organization, and making (research papers) concise. Some of it's very basic, but everyone could use a little bit of fine tuning," Gralitzer said.
Next, A+ instructs users how to search online for information, a task made difficult because of the Internet's massive size and organization.
"Most people don't do a good job of finding what they want on the Internet," Schwartz said. "When they use a search engine, they either get way too many hits or none at all."
This section emphasizes library skills and cyberspace search skills.
A+ also provides a detailed list of links to other writing and research sources on the Internet. Topics such as writing style, technique, grammar and punctuation can be located in the links directory. Subject-classified directories on the Web and search engines for locating specific information are also found in this section.
Online services like IPL and programs like A+ are changing how students think about public libraries.
"(IPL brings) the North American public library model to the Internet," Carter said.
The Internet Public Library was founded at the University's School of Information and Library Studies (now known as the School of Information) in 1995. IPL serves the Internet community by organizing, evaluating and creating information resources.
"(IPL) started with the question of where librarianship is heading in an expanding digital network," said IPL Director Joseph Janes. "The idea of building a public library on the Internet was an interesting way to explore that question."
Students can access the A+ plus services online at http://www.ipl.org/teen/aplus/.
09-10-97
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