The Library & The Web

Sometimes the hardest part about research is just getting started. Two places to begin looking for information are in UNSW Library resources (both print and Web based) and on the Public Web.

THE LIBRARY

When you think about the Library the first things that come to mind apart from a physical building, are probably printed materials - books and magazines. The Library also provides access to resources like full-text journal articles, databases and online handbooks.

The Library collects quality information in a wide variety of formats. Many electronic resources are accessible through a Web browser. As an academic library, the UNSW Library purchases these sources for the"community" of students and staff to use. These resources are different from most of the information that is freely available to you over the Web because they have been reviewed and recommended by the Library and are usually of a much higher quality.

THE WEB

Alternately, no one individual or group dictates what information is acceptable for the Web or how it should be presented. This lack of authority allows many people to publish their opinions, ideas and creative works. Some of this information may be interesting, but much of it may not be useful for academic research.

For your research, you will probably save yourself time and find more quality information if you begin with Library resources and then move to the Web if you need more information or other points of view.