The Virtual Reference Library (http://vrl.tpl.toronto.on.ca) is a new web site of the Toronto Public Library that provides online information resources at your fingertips. The VRL guides users to Internet information sources and to the resources of the library itself. Staff at Toronto Public Library and Toronto Reference Library select and index the best of the Internet in over 25 subjects. The VRL Subject Guide to the Internet indexes about 8,000 - 10,000 Internet sites which can be browsed by subject or searched by keyword. Internet sites produced in Canada are a particular focus. Site descriptions include a brief annotation, the languages used on the site, and a Made in Canada flag. TPL staff have specialized in creating a number of indexes and gateways to Internet information and these are all available from the VRL site. Bob's Your Uncle, eh! is a Canadian genealogy search engine while Expanding Universe indexes astronomy sites. Science Net is a gateway designed for students and teachers looking for help with science topics on the Internet. The Career Bookmarks gateway pulls together a comprehensive library of online and print sources for those who need assistance in getting a job or planning a career.
The VRL hosts links to TPL's own collections and indexes, including the library's first digital collection, the 19th century Toronto City Directories, which are being scanned and converted for full-text searching. The years 1797 to 1877 are now available online. The unique Archindont (Architectural Index for Ontario) is an index to print articles and books on buildings and architecture in Ontario. Later this spring online databases, such as full-text magazine articles, will be added to the site. The VRL provides plenty of research guides for help in planning a search and a link to the library's Online Reference email service where users may pose quick questions to library staff. Later this year, the Library will be launching two more gateways, which will be dedicated to News information and to Toronto Neighbourhoods information.
The development of the VRL has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of Toronto Public Library, the Toronto Public Library Foundation, Telecommunications Access Partnerships, an initiative of the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology, and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. The Virtual Reference Library has also received generous support from a growing list of sponsors and partners, including Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Cisco Systems, Extend Media, helios/oceana, Human Resources Development Canada, Silicon Graphics Inc., toronto.com, and the Toronto Star.
For more information, contact: Kathy Scardellato, VRL Project Leader at [log in to unmask] or 416-395-5604
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