online libraries and databases.

Week 3 Online libraries and databases.


Online databases and libraries are very useful for uni students to find the required information they need. It’s very convenient, up to date, and easy for making notes and available 24/7. Some disadvantages are that most of the online libraries and journals require a payment and you may not be able to always find specific things. Artworks, musicals, journals and texts are all available in online libraries. http://www.vlib.org/ is an example of an online library. During the UPC 0004 class we learnt how to navigate our way around these libraries, research online library data bases, and reference online libraries.
Online databases are basically the same as the online libraries but they include news and media, maps and atlases, email directories, people searches etc. Online databases are compressive, up to date, and accessible 24/7. The negatives about online databases is that they are mostly only available via subscription, present a lot of advertising and information overload.
In our workshop we navigated around the ECU library at www.ecu.edu.au/library, found online journals involving certain topics and visited the Medline website at www.medlineplus.gov.

10 helpful things to do on the ECU Library Website:
1- Students can find information about opening hours, library rules, overdue penalties etc.
2- View a number of books and journals through the website.’
3- Have key resources for links to certain topics such as Aboriginal Studies, Philosophy and Women’s Studies.
4- Learning assistant to help you use the library resources.
5- Provide an academic tip sheet e.g.: academic essays, exam techniques, assignments etc.
6- Links to connect current ECU students to the SIMO Homepage.
7- Student information i.e.: My ECU (blackboard)
8- Resources for external and offshore students
9- Links to the latest news and updates from the ECU Library.
10- Link which allows students to loan books out using the internet and then receive the book at their home address.


My Website: www.medlineplus.gov
On the website www.medlneplus.gov the “bones, joints and muscles” section interested me most. It provided me with a list of different categories such as “blood and heart”, “eyes and vision”, “bones and muscles”, “cancers”, “pregnancy” and a lot more. Once you have found topics that interest you, you click on the link which brings up a more specific list of things to do with your main topic. As I had click on the “bones, joints and muscles” section it then came up with a list of things such as leg, hip or foot. After choosing which topic was more relevant to my research it then provided me with a large list of even more details topics such as knee reconstruction, hip replacement, foot health etc. By clicking on your certain problem the page would display you with a bit of information on what it is, what part of the body it affects and the recovery time.
This site would be very helpful for people who would like to know a bit of basic information on a health problem. It offers information on recovery, clinical trials and latest news and updates on that topic. Every day people such as men and women, mums and dads, and even teenagers who have concern on interest in a certain health problem would find a brief overview on everything they should be aware of.
Although the website was last updates on the 28th February 2006 by the U.S national library of medicine, the information would still be relevant and the only common thing that would change is the form of treatment they use on certain health issues.
It’s a great site for anyone who would like to know more information or simply to find out what symptoms lead to certain health problems or diseases.