The most salient advantage to physically browsing the bookshelves at a library rather than mere online research is the joy of browsing over the titles of books and perhaps running into something interesting that you may have never thought to look at otherwise. Also at a library there are usually professional researchers that are happy to share their nerdy knowledge with you, giving your research experience an added human touch not possible at the computer back at the house. Libraries often subscribe to expensive information services not available to the general public online. Personally, I love the smell of thousands of books and papers and the quiet away from Babylonian hustle and bustle.

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