Best of the Web

Abstract

E-commerce is one of the most popular current business topics. This chapter includes core resources of general news, how-to sites, e-commerce technology sites, business-to-business sites, statistics, and academic research centers.     

Finance and Investments

Abstract

Web sites for finance and investing are among the most pervasive. This chapter outlines key examples in the categories of market analysis and commentary, market news, initial public offerings, historical data, stock screeners, brokers, mutual funds, bonds, international investing, professional associations, and several other categories.     

Knowledge Management on the Web

Abstract

Knowledge management is another valuable concept within the business world. The authors outline major Web resources for finding information on knowledge management as well as Web-based publications.     

Operations Management/Operations Research Web Sites

Abstract

This chapter covers the field of operations management/ operations research. The authors provide in-depth reviews of prominent sites, including those of professional organizations and academic institutions.     

Real Estate

Abstract

The Web is an important tool for those interested in real estate and is a key tool for locating properties or researching loans. The author includes coverage of government Web sites for housing and loan information, as well as to major real estate directories.     

Academic Library Web Sites and Distance Education

Abstract

This study focuses on college and university library services provided to distance education students and a content analysis of library Web sites. The Web sites chosen were categorized by the amount of distance education the institution offered to students. Results indicated that the size of the institution had the strongest correlation to library services offered to distance education students (Spearman's rho of .618), not the degree to which distance education is provided (rho of .076). This study suggests that just because an institution offers distance learning courses does not necessarily mean that its library offers a full range of Web services to meet distance learner needs, and it brings into question whether some institutions have been too quick to provide distance education services without properly addressing student library needs.     

Law Library Faculty Services Web Sites: Effectively Communicating Services Provided for Faculty

This article contains the results of an empirical analysis and review of 199 American Bar Association-accredited law school library Web pages to identify the law library services for faculty that are advertised or promoted on law library Web sites. The analysis ranked the Web sites based on how thoroughly a law library communicates, or promotes on its Web site, the services it offers to faculty. The analysis also identified the percentage of law libraries advertising specific services for faculty, such as those related to library staffing, publishing support, teaching support, and research services. Suggestions are included for the promotion of the law library to faculty, including services some libraries are uniquely offering.     

Information on Wheels-

Information on Wheels is an outreach service of the Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries. A mobile cart loaded with professional books and journals is taken weekly to the hospital unit and outpatient clinic of the Milwaukee County Hospital and Froedtert Hospital. The targeted audience is primarily nurses since (1) their job demands usually allow little time flexibility, and (2) they make up the largest percentage of hospital health care professionals. After one year of service, a survey was undertaken to determine the usefulness of the service. The results were very positive. One comment repeated was, "This is an excellent service because is provides easy access to pertinent information to people who are sometimes too busy or don't think to go to the library."     

“Ask a Librarian” Pages as Reference Gateways to Academic Libraries

A library's web site is a virtual “front door” to its services and collections. Libraries can use their “Ask a Librarian” pages to promote reference services and to inform patrons about the different options available. Much variation is found in the naming of those pages and the number and type of reference contact options they include. This article reports the results of an examination of the reference assistance pages of libraries that are members of the Association of Research Libraries. In particular, the study attempted to determine whether virtual modes of reference service are being promoted at the expense of traditional options.