text: what is theimportance of online libraries?   there are several advantages to the online resources  that libraries make available:  they allow multiple people to utilize one resource at the same time (with print resources, multiple copies must be held by the library to achieve this).  they allow people to use the library's resources without physically going to the library.  this is especially important for distance education students who may not live anywhere near the school they attend.  they can be more easily recovered if the physical location is impacted by a disaster.  if the resources are hosted via the internet, all the library has to do is repair or replace its computer equipment, as opposed to hunting down and purchasing replacement copies of destroyed print materials.   on the downside, online resources are generally more expensive than print, and some things are priced so extravagantly that some libraries can't afford them at all.