Should School Libraries Provide Internet Access for Students?

Mankind has always had a thirst for knowledge. It was this thirst that saw the creation of the World Wide Web in the 90s, and later on the Internet. The Internet is an interconnection of various computers worldwide for the purpose of information sharing. This information also includes academic content that could assist students immensely in their curriculum work. School Libraries have also been a leading source of information, and combined with the internet access from various materials worldwide is possible. School libraries should provide internet access to student, of course with an acceptable level of censorship.

The internet provides electronic media. This includes soft copies of books and other academic content that can be downloaded and viewed offline. This can make it convenient for students to carry the documents and view them in their home computers of other devices. This can also come in handy when the printed material in the library has already been issued to another student, or the copies available are not enough.  Statistics indicate that three in every ten students lack internet access in their homes, but have access to computers or other devices. With that in mind, having internet access in libraries will aid them in further reading on class lessons at home.

The internet offers peer-reviewed journals and articles. These are articles  authored by experts and professionals in various academic fields, and  published online to be accessed by the public. They can be a crucial source of material for students’ research because, their content is relevant to the particular research problem at hand. Without internet access in libraries, students might be denied a chance to view these journals and articles that could have immensely increased their level of knowledge.

The internet offers forums where students can interact with other students and/or professionals. These forums offer the chance for students to ask questions regarding any topic, and professionals that are present can offer a clearer enlightenment on the topic. This is necessary in instances where teachers and library materials have not offered enough answers to the questions asked.

In conclusion, the internet plays a vital role in the students’ academic life, and it should be allowed in libraries. The electronic media, journals, articles and forums add value to the content that students get from classes. Nevertheless, the internet should not be left unrestricted. There are various negative impacts of the internet such as pornography that may affect the students’ concentration and morality.

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11 2016