TILW2.0 - Defining Library Research

Defining "Library"

Traditional definition

A building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read, borrow, or refer to.(McKean (Ed.), 2005. Library.)

Modern definition

Places to get unrestricted access to information in many formats and from many sources.(Wikipedia Contributors, 2006. Library.)

"Defining "Research"

Traditional definition

The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.(McKean (Ed.), 2005. Research.)

Modern definition

An active, diligent, and systematic process of inquiry aimed at discovering, interpreting and revising facts.(Wikipedia Contributors, 2006. Research)

As you can see, there is a very different view between the traditional definition and modern definition of a "Library." On the other hand, the definition of "Research" has remained relatively the same. So lets try defining "Library Research" by combining the traditional definitions, and modern definitions.

Defining "Library Research"

Traditional Definition

The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music, in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

Modern Definition

An active, diligent, and systematic process of inquiry aimed at discovering, interpreting and revising facts in a place with unrestricted access to information in many formats and from many sources.

Both definitions change their emphasis on physical materials and place to an emphasis on process of gathering and interpreting materials. Even the act of rehashing these definitions together in my own interpretation, is a simple example of the research process and how it can create new information.

McKean, E. (Ed.). (2005). Library. In Oxford Reference Online (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. Retrieved January 17, 2006, from
http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t183.e43584
McKean, E. (Ed.). (2005). Research. In Oxford Reference Online (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. Retrieved January 17, 2006, from
http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t183.e64694
Wikipedia Contributors. (2006). Library. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 16, 2006, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Library&oldid=34866710
Wikipedia Contributors. (2006). Research. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 16, 2006, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Research&oldid=35212545

Tags: TILW2.0, Library, Research, Library Research, Definition, Libraronin