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Internet Essentials

This page includes some book recommendations on the internet and internet culture. These reading suggestions are for popular non-fiction titles that we think will be of interest to anyone eager learn more about the internet. You’ll also find links to some of the Digital Library resources here at VPL.

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Digital Library Resources

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Enjoy an extensive selection of ebooks and audiobooks on your ereader, browser or download the Libby app for your smartphone or tablet. For more information see our help guide.

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Contains a vast collection of technology and business ebooks, audiobooks, videos, courses, and more. A great resource for professional development.

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Recommended Titles

Remote Media URL
Cover Image for  Lurking: How a Person Became a User
McNeil, Joanne
Call Number
303.483 M16L
Publication Year
2020
Gives an in-depth treatment of many of internet culture and gives some historical and cultural context about what fundamental needs being online is meeting (or failing to meet) for people.
Remote Media URL
Cover Image for Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language
McCulloch, Gretchen
Publication Year
2019
A linguistic analysis of Internetspeak. It covers how the Internet and its slang have changed language and how the peculiar and particular language of the internet developed.
Remote Media URL
Cover Image for The Idealist: Aaron Swartz and the Rise of Free Culture on the Internet
Peters, Justin
Call Number
004.6709 P48i
Publication Year
2016
An engaging read that gives a great explanation of the Free Culture movement through the case of Aaron Swartz, a Free Culture activist who was tried for hacking and releasing vast amounts of academic journal material for free.