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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
NOVEL, the New York Online Virtual Electronic Library, is a public no-cost online information network that will create a "library without walls." NOVEL would provide a gateway for all New Yorkers, even those in the most geographically isolated communities, to a vast array of electronic books, e-journals, full text magazines and articles as well as to the rich resources of libraries throughout the state via online catalogs, digitized collections of photographs, images, maps, manuscripts, encyclopedias, journals and other proprietary databases licensed on a statewide basis for free public access.
Although the Internet, the World Wide Web and other technologies provide online information, only NOVEL will provide the high quality, reliable, accurate sources of electronic information New Yorkers need.
Because of the open nature of the Internet, much of the information it accesses is neither accurate nor up-to-date. Other information is available only at a cost from commercial publishers, and much information still remains to be digitized.
At the same time, many people lack the resources to access the Internet. According to a study released in 2002 by Benton Foundation, 76 percent of minority households and 73 percent of those with a disability do not have Internet access. While 76% of households making $75,000 per year or more have computers in the home, 86 percent of households with an annual income less than $15,000 do not. NOVEL will help community libraries provide access to electronic information resources for all New Yorkers regardless of economic circumstances.
NOVEL will help to close the digital divide by making electronic and digital information accessible via the local library as well as remote locations such as home, school or office. This means that all New Yorkers, regardless of economics, geographic isolation or disabilities will have access to the information they need.
The grants from the Gates Library Initiative help provide important hardware and software needed in order for public libraries to provide access to NOVEL. NOVEL itself focuses on access to information content by all New Yorkers.
NOVEL assures that all New Yorkers have equity of access to information independent of financial, physical or geographical limitations.
While the ability to obtain information is essential today, much of the electronic information that is available is complex. Consumers need trusted navigators to find accurate, valid information that is sorted from the sea of less relevant data.NOVEL will offer a networked library where librarians will apply their expertise in selection to create paths to useful sites, to verify the accuracy and currency of data and to validate resources. Through its connection at the local library, NOVEL will be available to those without personal computers. Through an online connection at home or office, NOVEL will be always open, always ready and always available.
NOVEL will provide a gateway for all New Yorkers to the rich resources of libraries throughout the State.
NOVEL will contain digital resources that are commercially available and other valuable unique items digitized by libraries, museums and other institutions preserving our cultural heritage, such as the original Emancipation Proclamation in Abraham Lincoln's own handwriting in the New York State Library's collections. Resources will include full-text electronic books and journals, online catalogs, digitized collections of photographs, images, maps, manuscripts, encyclopedias, journals, and other proprietary databases licensed for free public access.
All New Yorkers will have free access to digital information via their community library and in many cases from remote locations such as home, school or work.
The Board of Regents is asking for $14 million in State fiscal year 2003-2004 to begin the process of creating NOVEL. NOVEL is part of the Regents New Century Libraries $107 million legislative and budget proposal.
The foundations for NOVEL already exist in online services and information available from the New York State Library and other libraries and library systems around the State. Local, State and Federal funding have helped create gateways to this information in many regions throughout New York.
Provided by the New York State Library, NOVEL Databases is an electronic database access project that enables libraries across New York State to give their communities online access to the full text of hundreds of journals, newspapers and other references. Launched as the EmpireLink Project in January 1999 with the goal of assuring that libraries throughout the State can provide electronic access to state-of-the-art data and research materials, the project has received enthusiastic endorsement across the State. The NOVEL Databases project provides a foundation for the New York Online Virtual Electronic Library (NOVEL), providing access to high-quality, reliable digital information.
Making NOVEL a reality requires both the necessary infrastructure for the network and further development of the electronic material the network will access. Many communities do not yet have access to high bandwidth, fast speed network connection. This technology is necessary to develop online network services that consolidate voice, video and data services.
The New York State Library will be pivotal in providing training, negotiating statewide contracts for services, and stimulating the extension of technology necessary for all communities in New York to connect to the NOVEL network.
Currently, the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) fund NOVEL Databases through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to the New York State Library. Because Federal funding may not be available to continue funding the online databases offered through the project, the $14 million proposed as part of New Century Libraries to create NOVEL will ensure that all New Yorkers can access the expanded education, business, employment, and communication opportunities available online. NOVEL is an online virtual library connecting New Yorkers to 21st century information via local libraries statewide. There are a number of broad recommendations from the Regents Commission on Library Services that will ultimately need to be addressed if NOVEL is to become a reality for New Yorkers.
These recommendations include:
- extend connectivity to the Internet and the NOVEL network to all communities,
- expand NOVEL Databases to include a core collection of journals, and other resources,
- expand State support for digitization of primary source material in libraries across the State,
- expand efforts by libraries to provide training in how to use the resources of NOVEL.
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