Advantage over internet search engines
Unlike internet search engines like Google and the like which may not be efficient and usually return a high degree of irrelevant information, the NLB eResources provide quality and targeted content with a high degree of relevance to your search.
FOR first time student users, NLB has put up a helpful guide on how best to explore its eResources section which is packed with eDatabases, ebooks, audiobooks, digital newspapers - all paid for or subscribed by the NLB for use by its logged in users in Singapore.
As part of its continuing outreach sessions to promote and familiarise its digital services to its readers, the NLB eResources had its "Spread the Word" exhibition for schools on 13 February. More such events are being held for academic, business and industry users.
Browsing options
Once you get into the eResources section, you can browse alphabetically, by type (eBooks / eDatabases / eJournals / eMagazines / eNewspapers), by subject, or by category (teens, children).
Most of these information resources, if not all, can be accessed from the comfort of your home upon login as a Digital Library member. Adults should check out the LibraryPressDisplay and Newsbank that features full colour eNewspapers from over 60 countries.
Yes, you can use your computer or ebook reader to access these and more without the need to ever leave your home or check into a physical library. In this connected age, the NLB is thus coming to you at home!
Chinese ebooks and other references
Over 60,000 Chinese ebooks are found under its Apabi collection. The eBrary section has over 14,000 titles on the arts, humanities, social sciences, science, technology, management and economics. Both the Apabi and eBrary collections require a reading software to be downloaded/installed into your computer. The NetLibrary collection provides access to the digitised versions of selected print titles. Currently, this collection has over 8,000 digitised titles.
Fiction ebooks
With your NLB login, you can also access the World ebook Library, the world's largest digital archive of PDF ebooks and eDocuments. This collection hosts more than 500,000 titles in a wide variety of genres including adventure, biography, classics, religion, drama, poetry, science, non-fiction, pulp fiction, folklore, children's titles, Gothic tales, and science fiction.
Related articles / links:
Is internet search the new textbook?
Singapore National Library / NLB electronic resources / NLB ebooks
