Answers to Tough Questions

Isn't everything available on the Internet? Why do we need libraries?
Libraries are more than books. They are life-long learning hubs with a full range of print and electronic resources that support life goals and achievements. These resources include books, magazines, videotapes, computers, databases, and places for people to study and conduct research. In addition, all Wisconsin residents have access to BadgerLink resources and these resources are not available through Google. Libraries have professional staff to assist users in finding information and in developing critical learning skills.
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Why should people use BadgerLink instead of Google?
BadgerLink provides a collection of essential online reference and research tools such as magazine and newspaper articles, reference materials, biographies, original historical materials, images, and other resources. These materials have been selected so that parents can be confident that only quality information from recognized publishers or sources is available. When users search BadgerLink, they can be confident that the responses are reliable and current. Children will not be subjected to results with thousands of irrelevant and possibly pornographic responses a Google-type search may produce. Parents should still provide guidance to be sure that the subject being investigated is suitable to the age and maturity of the child searcher. BadgerLink provides access to materials not available through Google or other public search engines.
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Isn't it true that people don't use libraries anymore?
On the contrary! Libraries are full of people throughout the day who are reading books, getting help with research projects, studying, creating multimedia presentation, working on projects with others, as well as logging into the Internet. Library websites are used by people to search fulltext databases and other resources. Visit the library and its website to see for yourself.
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How is BadgerLink funded?
BadgerLink funding is appropriated by the state from the Universal Service Fund. All residents of Wisconsin can have unlimited access to these resources.
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What is "information literacy" anyway?
Information literacy means knowing how to find, evaluate and use information from a variety of sources. It means knowing when a book may be more helpful than a web site. It means knowing what questions to ask. Is someone trying to sell something? Good decisions depend on good information. Library staff knows the best sources of information and introduces students and other users to BadgerLink. They teach skills that help prepare students to meet the demands of the global community and tomorrow's work place.
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How do we deal with plagiarism?
With all of the electronic resources at hand, there can be strong temptation for students and others to cut and paste information directly into their homework or other projects. Taking someone else's work and calling it your own is plagiarism. Plagiarism can have serious consequences for students such as failing grades. In doing thorough research, people must show where they found their information. It is important to always identify the information source. Source information is also known as bibliographic information and identifies the original publication that contained the information used in research.
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Why should libraries invest in books when people have the Internet?
People need both if they are to learn and achieve. If people are to learn how to be effective consumers of information, they must understand and be able to use many different media formats. The Internet, for instance, is primarily for current information. Books and other print resources offer a greater breadth and depth of information than can be found online. Sometimes a video is a better learning tool than a book or the Internet.
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