No matter how quick the internet gets at providing answers to existential questions, references for academic purposes, or elaborate information on all topics, books will never run dry for knowledge seekers. Whether you’re an avid reader, a curious explorer, or a keen student, you might have found yourself lurking in one corner of a library looking for answers in a book. Thanks to technology, this process has been enhanced and simplified with the emergence of digital or e-libraries.
What is a Digital Library?
A digital library is an online log of data such as eBooks, audio recordings, older magazines, archives, and video recordings that you can access over the internet. Digital libraries may be free to use or charge you a subscription fee to access their collection of resource materials. Students, teachers, researchers, or professionals to upgrade their knowledge and remain equipped with the latest information regarding their respective fields commonly use digital libraries.
Are Digital Libraries Better?
For some orthodox readers, digital libraries may seem disgraceful and an insult to accessing knowledge. For more practical people, digital libraries serve just the right purpose. Digital libraries are easier to access and navigate through. They provide a quick and easy way to look around for your required resources, saving you a lot of time. What might otherwise be a lengthy and irritating hunt is turned into an instant search providing you with all the results available in the library.
Digital Libraries may also be your go-to resource hunter when looking for rare resources with limited copies available around the globe. Instead of spending half your savings attaining a rare book or looking for it in multiple libraries around town, you can simply access the digital version at an e-library.
How to Access a Digital Library?
To access a digital library you need to look for one first. A lot of public libraries have e-library sections where they maintain their resources digitally. Some popular digital libraries include:
- Digital Public Library of America
- The Internet Archive
- Open Library
- Project Gutenberg
After locating your desired e-library, you need a computer or device, and a good internet connection to access the library. We suggest you get a fast internet connection as books with a higher number of pages tend to take time to load. AT&T Fiber Internet is our go-to fast internet solution. You can check for ATT availability in your area by calling the AT&T Customer Service number or through their website.
If you’re wondering what the best digital libraries are out there to help you with your quests, here is a list of our top choices:
1. Open Library
You can access the Open Library by making an account on their website. After signing in, you can simply browse and read books available on the platform. There is a wide range of genres available on the Open Library such as:
- Fiction
- Art
- Sci-fi
- Medicine
- History
If you know what book you’re looking for, simply type the title in the search bar and the website will direct you to it if it is available. You can borrow books for free or add them to your Want to Read list. Open Library offers eBooks, printed books, and even audiobooks so there’s something for each reader!
2. Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg allows you to download or read books online from a collection of over 60,000 free eBooks. Unlike most eBook platforms that require you to have a PDF or eBook reader, Project Gutenberg lets you read by simply downloading the files on your computer without any extra software.
Browning through this platform is very simple, you just need to know your required field of books and jump onto that bookshelf instead of sifting through thousands of other titles. You can also use filters on your searches including:
- Subject
- Author
- Pictures
- Audiobooks
- Category
- Music
3. Internet Archive
With a collection of over 36 million ebooks, the Internet Archive is the largest digital library. Apart from eBooks, the website also has a huge collection of dedicated web pages for videos, audio files, software programs, etc, counting a total of 778 billion items.
Want to get a taste of media from the past? Internet Archive is your go-to website for audio/video resources dating back to the ’90s with such rare items, which may not be available anywhere else. Media on the website is organized into categories such as:
- Collection
- Author
- Topic
- Year of Publishing
- Rating
You can also leave reviews on the website for other users and read their reviews before choosing a book to read. The Internet Archive lets you register on the platform and upload books for other users so you can also contribute back to the community.
Wrapping Up
Digital Libraries are the best and easiest way of getting access to free resources from anywhere in the world. Digital libraries are surely changing the way we access knowledge and information, setting new trends in the academic and professional world.