Showing posts with label RESOURES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RESOURES. Show all posts

7 Jul 2023

Industry Analysis: Power Industry of Bangladesh

Industry Analysis: Power Industry of Bangladesh

keywords : Power industry Bangladesh ,Energy sector analysis, Bangladesh electricity market, Power generation trends, Renewable energy in Bangladesh, Challenges in power industry, Investment opportunities power sector, Energy infrastructure Bangladesh, Government policies energy sector, Future prospects power industry, Discover the current state and future prospects of the power industry in Bangladesh with our in-depth industry analysis. Explore key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the energy sector.

Introduction

Today, the power sector's greatest issue is providing reliable primary energy at cheap rates and funding the business. Despite the fact that gas still accounts for 72 percent of the country's power output, the government has increased its use of fuel oil. First brought to light in 2006 was the gas shortage issue. There has been a 30 percent rise in oil-based electricity generation since then A major economic risk is posed by the unpredictable worldwide fuel oil market (Jamal and Ongsakul, 2012). This is a risk that the government is fully aware of. They are thus seeking to develop a huge number of coal-fired power plants that are cost-effective, although they have had limited success thus far. The absence of communication infrastructure and ports with the benefit of coal imports is a major factor in this. According to the administration, Payra and Matarbari projects would have their own infrastructure. A comprehensive financial agreement has not yet been reached, and building has not advanced substantially. A number of difficulties also face Rampal Power Plant. Recently, the country's energy industry has seen unparalleled prosperity. From 2009 to 2020, or 11 years, much of this progress occurred. By 2021, just 12 percent of the population will have access to electricity, compared to the 47 percent who had access to power throughout the 39 years of independence.  

The Organization Profile DPDC

Dhaka Electricity Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) is the country's major power distribution firm. It has worked relentlessly for the country's growth and consumer happiness since its establishment. Already, the firm has claimed that it is capable of providing excellent customer service. As of now, Dhaka does not have a lack of electricity, but the supply is enough(Ahmed, Galib, Asadulla Hil and Saha, 2019).


Figure 1 The position of DPDC in power sectors
Figure 2 DPDC organogram


Overview of DPDC


Vision

Through dependable electricity supply in Dhaka city and the Narayanganj area, the government will fulfil its economic, social, and human development goals(Ahmed, 2011). 


Mission

⦁    Delivery of quality power with excellent customer service 

⦁    Power supply based on the geographical region served by DPDC

⦁    Achieving self-sufficiency and profitability by growing revenue and lowering costs.


 

Figure 2 DPDC organogram

Primary energy shortage is one of the key issues of Bangladesh's fast and extensive industrialization. For short-, medium-, and long-term solutions,Bangladesh must rely on imported energy owing to the uncertainties surrounding alternative fuels. 

Financial Analysis

Figure 3 Financial Analysis of DPDC Source: 

 



90 percent of the entire gasoline used in Bangladesh by 2030, according to (Gupta, Sabuj Das, Ferdous and Saleque, 2012), will be imported. Bangladesh must provide a substantial sum of money to this effort. In recent years, the country's electricity industry, on the other hand, has experienced extraordinary success. The majority of this progress occurred between 2009 and 2020, or in just 11 years. Of those who had power during the 39 years of independence (1981-2009), just 12 percent will have it by 2021. (2009-2021). In addition, a key constitutional commitment is being fulfilled. In the 1972 constitution of Bangladesh, it is stated that all citizens of the nation should have access to electricity (Ahmed, Galib, Asadulla Hil and Saha, 2019).


SWOT Analysis of DPDC Bangladesh

Additionally, the diagnosis pointed to a deterioration of energy security. This is due to insufficient oil and gas production, as well as an increase in the importation of gas, gasoline, diesel, and petrochemicals, which has led to a steady decline in the balance of commercial hydrocarbons. Petrochemicals and gasoline are increasingly purchased from outside due to the country's limited refining capacity and better unit profitability. Insufficiencies in hydrocarbon and petrochemical transportation It was found in these analyses that DPDC's fiscal system, which ceased to exist at that time, was a hindrance to its growth. It was noted by the Executing Power that the DPDC regime was complex and inflexible and that, in addition to posing administrative challenges, it failed to take into account the company's operating realities. However, even DPDC had to go into debt to pay their taxes because of the approvals and rights the pastoral was obligated to pay. the fact that DPDC would have to be saved if the tax system was added to the labour responsibility and the resulting lack of investment There was a general consensus that oil revenues were extremely dependent on the import. As one of the primary causes of the aforementioned scenario, the, the, and the parliament itself cited the country's heavy dependency on oil income. DPDC was obliged to raise its hydrocarbon extraction rate in order to meet tax revenue obligations, and its investment had to match the Treasury's expectations, not their own. Diagnoses made during the constitutional reform process brought to light the condition in the power industry. 


Strengths

⦁ Tax concessions and incentives for foreign investors have been proposed as part of the government's efforts to encourage investment in power plants.
⦁ Investors will be exempt from corporate income tax for 15 years.
⦁ These companies may also import machinery and equipment, as well as replacement parts, up to a maximum of ten percent (10%) of its original worth, for a duration of 12 years, without having to pay customs taxes.
⦁ Royalties, technical know-how, and technical help fees will be free from taxation for foreign investors. 
⦁ Exempted from paying tax on foreign loans are foreign investors. 
⦁ Capital gains from the transfer of shares by the investing firm are likewise tax-free for them.
⦁ The strong demand for electricity in Bangladesh is the industry's greatest asset. 



Weaknesses

⦁    The amount of natural gas available to consumers decreases. Natural Gas, coal, and any other fossil fuels are available in very small quantities on the national grid and are not sufficient for supplying the forthcoming gas-based power plants.

⦁    Because even a modest power plant requires a large investment to set up and operate, it is a capital-intensive business. 

⦁    An inadequate and badly maintained energy infrastructure is a major problem for the DPDC. Infrastructure improvements are also non-existent. 

⦁    There is no way that a government can meet its aim of producing more power in the near future with this sort of infrastructure.

⦁    Those that use energy through these unlawful connections do not have to pay a single bill for their use of electricity. 

⦁    Since the government does not get paid for using electric power, it is considered a waste. This is a non-technical loss of system functionality. 

⦁    Most of the electricity costs levied on easy bikes and autorickshaws in our nation are unlawful. This loss or theft is the country's responsibility.

⦁    All power plants have delays in completing projects. The project's completion date has passed, but it has not yet been completed. 

⦁    There is a problem in generation and distribution of electricity as a result of this delay.


Opportunities


⦁    Work is also underway to build the country's first underground substation at Kawran Bazar in Dhaka and transform the existing power distribution network in several areas.

⦁    The government is trying to into a smart grid to ensure uninterrupted power supply and reduce technical losses.

⦁    In order to encourage domestic and foreign investment, initiatives have been taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply through construction of dual source and sub-stations at industrial hubs in Narayanganj.

⦁    DPDC has already implemented Geographic Information System (GIS) to map the power distribution system to the customer. 

⦁    To maintain energy security and establish a sustainable energy supply system in the country, it is intended to cut energy usage by 20 percent by 2030. 

⦁    For energy security, the government has made measures to reduce its reliance on gas as the main fuel for electricity generation while steadily diversifying energy sources. 

⦁    To import power from Nepal, a memorandum of agreement has been reached. As a result of this, the door to mutual collaboration between the two countries was opened. It has already been agreed to import 500 MW of power from GMR's hydroelectric facility. 

⦁    This was owing to the fiscal system adopted by Parliament, which was intended to enhance the finances of all three branches of government. 

⦁    The government was obliged to delay or cancel infrastructure projects. 

⦁    Energy efficiency and renewable energy alternatives may be used to expand power capacity in a cost-effective manner, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions while creating employment and improving human health by reducing air pollution. 

⦁    This is according to a report from the Global Partnership on Low Emission Strategies (LEDS GP), based on an in-depth review of models.


Threats


⦁    An uncertain scenario has recently developed due to Europe's economic crisis and the Middle East's political turmoil. 

⦁    An increase in worldwide oil prices will be a boon to Bangladesh's power industry, as oil is one the primary raw materials for power plants.

⦁    In terms of political influence, the electricity business is in for a big treat. Bangladesh's bidding process for tenders and Concern Company's selection process are both influenced by politics. 

⦁    Due to political interference, donor agencies withdraw their donations for certain projects. Because of this political influence, some donors withdraw their donations even in the last stages of the selection.

⦁    Oil or coal-based power plants constitute the majority in Bangladesh, despite Bangladesh's limited offshore and onshore reserves of oil and coal. 

⦁    Bangladesh's power plants are unable to run on oil and coal from this little resource. An oil and coal power plant shortage due to this limited reserve might occur.

⦁    Power plants for factories are sometimes built by large enterprises or businesses. Government power supply is inadequate, so they create their own mini-power plants. 

⦁    Power producers in the nation might benefit from this trend.


Five Forces Model DPDC

Figure 4 Five force Model Criteria

 



Porter's five forces model is a market analysis technique that takes into account the five dimensions on which the company DPDC can act in order to optimize its competitive advantage: rivalry among competitors; the threat of new entrants; the threat of substitute products; the bargaining power of clients; the bargaining power of suppliers, to which is often added the role of the State (standards, laws). It is used in terms of strategic analysis and to determine the axes of innovation.

DPDC charges based on consumption and has a customized connection mechanism. So, for example, they provide one type of connection for the industry, while providing another type of connection for residents and those living in luxury apartments. Place to place, the amount of power provided varies as well (Ali and Islam, Md Rakibul, 2018). There are some areas in Dhaka where they must maintain a constant level of power. A high rate has also been charged for Industry usages. On the other hand, residents were charged a lower cost. As the circumstance changes, so too are customers' attitudes. In the case of power generation, the current policy of the government is to produce low cost electricity. To produce more expensive electricity. The power sector is heading for an unbearably dangerous financial situation due to non-compliance with the austerity policy. It has been proposed to increase the price of electricity to meet this obligation.


The threat of new entrants on the market: all the means used by competitors make entry more difficult for a new company is very low in this case so DPDC has competitive advantages in this regard; The bargaining power of suppliers: DPDC’s Suppliers' capacity to impose their terms on a market, whether in terms of cost, quality, or time, has a direct impact on the space for maneuvering and profitability of the enterprises involved. In this regard the bargaining power of suppliers is high. Ffurnace oil is used as a fuel for power generation. PDB compulsorily buys this furnace oil from the government company BPC (Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation) at Rs 42 per litter. As a result, the price of electricity produced by PDB from Furnace Oil falls to Tk 12 per unit. The price of this oil in the international market has come down a long time ago. The Bangladesh government has not adjusted the price of this oil. As a result, PDB has to buy this furnace oil at the rate of Tk 42 per litter. There is no way out for the PDB. But the government rentals in the private sector, buying electricity from quick rentals or other power plants has allowed them to buy furnace oil at market prices.   

The negotiating power of clients: The major customer impact in the market is demonstrated by its capacity to bargain; its effect on the pricing and selling circumstances (payment terms, related services) influences the market profitability; In this case DPDC has very highly competitive advantages as the bargaining power of the consumer is very low. 

Substitute Products: The replacement products do not form part of the market, but are an alternative to an offer which may be quite attractive. 

The rivalry of current competitors: Concentration, competitive diversity and power balance might be easily reversed between firms. Competitors must fight to expand their position within the sector or just to retain it.


Financial performance analysis 

DPDC had always been able to reach all of its yearly performance goals, but this year, because to Covid-19, it was unable to meet some goals. Even during the lockdown/corona period, meter reading, power bill distribution, and postpaid customer collecting activities have been significantly affected. Other project goals were not met on time. The DPDC's after-tax profit for the 2019-20 financial year is Tk 113.7 crore, which is Tk 72.7 crore less than the previous year. Due to Covid-19, this year's power usage was lower than last year's, resulting in lower power sales. A decrease in power usage owing to Covid-19 has resulted in a reduction in power sales of Tk 128 crore. Due to a rise in operating expenditures and a drop in non-operating revenue, post-tax earnings have also decreased from the previous fiscal year (Deeba, Shohana Rahman, 2013). No dividend was recommended for the 2019-20 fiscal year due to the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown, cumulative losses, self-financed initiatives, etc. The G2G project, which aims to extend and reinforce the DPDC's power distribution infrastructure, is presently in full swing. Once implemented, the distribution system for the territories covered will undergo a radical transformation (Ahmed, Galib, Asadulla Hil and Saha, 2019). To extend and enhance the electricity distribution infrastructure in the DPDC area, the G2G project is now under way. Successful completion of this project will result in a revolution in the distribution system in the DPDC service regions. The construction of substations utilizing gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) technology maximizes land usage. We at DPDC are dedicated to using ICT to ensure openness and accountability. Software and apps that DPDC has created include Accounting, Asset Management, Human Resources (HR), a mobile application (app), training and auditing software for workshops, and a case management system, among others. This is a project that DPDC is working on. A national integrity strategy guides the work of the DPDC (Basak, Hussain and Azad, 2010). All types of corruption have been stopped with great success. The Power Department awarded DPDC's Managing Director, Engineer Bikash Dewan, the Integrity Award for the financial year 2019-20. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and a paperless office are being implemented as part of DPDC's transition to an international standard organization (Higano, Yabar and Kamrul, 2012).

Recommendation

⦁    It is necessary for the government to upgrade the distribution and transmission network of the electric power grid as a result, the country's distribution and transmission processes are optimised (Bakhtiar, 2012). 

⦁    In order to do this, electricity producers must engage in an open and transparent tendering and selection process. Donor agencies make loans to non-profit organisations.  The government of Bangladesh should guarantee that there is an adequate supply of gas and oil for the power plants. 

⦁    Boost the number of plants to increase productivity. It is recommended that the government get into joint ventures with the Indian government and other international investors(Ali and Islam, Md Rakibul, 2018). 

⦁    The government of Bangladesh should attract international investors by offering additional incentives for them to invest in Bangladesh. Incentives are enticing. In order to increase output, the sector needs more private investors to step in. 

⦁    Gigantic, privately owned this is an industry that should be explored by business groupings. Maintaining and repairing existing power plants is vital. Increase the production of goods and services.  Other power producers, other than BPDB, should be more involved and expand their participation in the process (Gupta, Sabuj Das, Ferdous and Saleque, 2012). 

⦁    BPDB will be less dependent on production as a result of this. There are several ways in which the Bangladeshi government may enhance the country's energy infrastructure. Imports of around 9,000 megawatts (MW) of power from neighbouring countries are planned as part of the long-term master plan for power generation through regional and sub-regional cooperation activities (Deeba, Shohana Rahman, 2013). 

⦁    In the legal framework in place at the time of the discussion, private energy generation in modes that were not deemed public services, as well as in locations with a strong potential for renewable energies, was not taken into consideration as in the case of DPDC, the parliament has a similar role to play (Gupta, Sabuj Das, Ferdous and Saleque, 2012).

⦁    About 35% of the customers have already been covered under the prepayment metering system for the purpose of using affordable electricity and paying electricity bills easily. At present, work is underway to bring the remaining customers to smart pre-paid meters through.



Conclusion

Power sector growth in Bangladesh is regarded to have reached its first major milestone with the construction of Kaptai Dam and the commissioning of Dhaka-Chittagong Transmission Line. From 1982 to 1991-92, Bangladesh's electricity generation capacity was 2350 megawatts (MW). Because the Bangladesh Power Development Board had a weak transmission and distribution infrastructure, the Bangladesh government split the two systems on November 21, 1996, and established Power Grid Company of Bangladesh. the power grid company of Bangladesh took over the 230 kV transmission line in 1996, when it had a total length of 636 circuit kilometers. 230 kV transmission line had a total length of 636 circuit kilometers and 132 kV transmission line had a total length of 4655 circuit kilometers when the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh took control in 1996. In Bangladesh, the rate of total power sector development slowed dramatically towards the dawn of the 21st century.


Reference list

  1. Ahmed, G., Asadulla, H., and Saha, P. (2019). Micro Wind Turbine as an Alternative Power Source in Bangladesh. International Conference on Sustainable Technologies for Industry 4.0 (STI) IEEE, 1-4.
  2. Ahmed, Z. (2011). Electricity crisis of Bangladesh: result of organizational inefficiency? Energy and Environment Research, 1(1), 12.
  3. Ali, M., Islam, J., Rakibul, M. (2018). Analysis and Finding Problem Solar Rooftop System (SRS) Under Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) of Bangladesh.
  4. Bacon, R., and Jones, J. (2021). Global electric power reform, privatization, and liberalization of the electric power industry in developing countries. Annual review of energy and the environment, 26(1), 331–359.
  5. Bakhtiar, M. (2012). Industry analysis: power industry of Bangladesh.
  6. Basak, C., Hussain, C., and Azad, A. (2010). A New Approach to Improve the Reliability of DPDC SCADA Communication Systems. Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 4(7).
  7. Deeba, P., Shohana, K., and Rahman, T. (2013). Impact of Integrating Tidal Power Generation on the Reliability of Bangladesh Power System. International Journal of Energy and Power, 2(2), 38–43.
  8. Ferdushi, J., Kanis, F., Kamil, A., Ahmed, S., and Kawsar, L. (2020). The Measures of Efficiency of Power Generation Plants in Sylhet of Bangladesh. International Journal of Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences, 4(2), 20-21.
  9. Gupta, P., Sabuj D., Ferdous, S., and Saleque, A. (2012). Bangladesh Power Sector Reform and Multidimensional Reflections. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 3(2), 77–104.
  10. Higano, Y., Yabar, H., and Kamrul, M. (2012). Introducing SocioEnvironmental Management Policy Guidelines for the Financing of Electric Power Projects in Bangladesh. In: Design for Innovative Value Towards a Sustainable Society. Springer, 936–941.
  11. Hosen, M., and Islam, M. (2018). Study and Analysis of Solar Rooftop System Under Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) of Bangladesh.
  12. Jamal, T., and Ongsakul, W. (2012). Smart Grid in Bangladesh power distribution system: Progress & prospects. In: 2012 Students Conference on Engineering and Systems. IEEE, 1–5.
  13. Jamal, T., Ongsakul, W., Lipu, M., Hossain, S., and Islam, M. (2014). An Approach to Integrate Geographic Information Systems to the proposed Smart Grid for Dhaka, Bangladesh. International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology, 3(2), 124–129.
  14. Mondal, P., Hossain, A., Boie, W., and Denich, M. (2010). Future demand scenarios of Bangladesh power sector. Energy Policy, 38(11), 7416–7426.
  15. Rahman, A., Aziz, T., and Deeba, S., (2021). A time of use tariff scheme for demand side management of residential energy consumers in Bangladesh. Energy Reports, 7, 3189–3198.
  16. Raju, M., Hossain, B., and Asaduzzaman, A. (2017). The Impact of Dividend Policy on Stock Price: A Study of Fuel, Power and Cement Industry in Bangladesh. IOSR Journal of Economics and Finance, 8(03), 84–91.
  17. Sajib, K., Isjam, A., and Karim, S. (2019). Electrical Substation Maintenance and Protection Under Grid North2, DPDC.



28 Apr 2023

A step-by-step guide on how to write a research proposal

A step-by-step guide on how to write a research proposal


A research plan is a paper that lists the goals, methods, and predicted results of a research project. It is an important part of doing research and acts as a plan for the study project. Writing a study paper can be hard, but if you know what to do and how to do it, it can be a satisfying experience. In this guide, we'll show you how to write a study paper in a way that will help you do well.

Step 1: Pick a subject


Choosing a topic is the first step in writing a study paper. Your topic should be important, interesting, and easy to find information about. When choosing a topic, you should also think about what you like and what you know. Once you've chosen a topic, you should do a lot of study on it to learn more about what's already been written about it and to find any gaps in the research that your project can fill.

Step 2: Make a question for your research.


The next step is to come up with a question to answer. Your study question needs to be clear, focused, and specific. It should also be possible and doable within the scope of the job you want to do. Your research question should be based on the gaps in the current literature that you've found, and it should add to the larger study area.

Step 3: Write a Literature Review


A very important part of your study plan is the review of the literature. It gives you a full picture of all the research that has been done on your research question. You should carefully read through the literature and judge the quality of the studies you've found. Your study of the literature should also point out any holes in the research and explain how your planned project will fill those holes.

Step 4: Make a plan for how to do it.


In the part of your research paper called "Methodology," you explain how you plan to do your study. It should have information about how you did your study, how big your group was, how you got your data, and how you analyzed it. You should also explain what problems your study might have and how you plan to fix them.

Step 5: Write down what you want to happen.


In the part of your research plan called "Expected Results," you list the possible benefits of your research. It should show what your study will add to the field as a whole and how it can be used in the real world. You should also talk about any problems or limits that your study might have.

Step 6: Write the ending


Your proposal's end should sum up the most important points. It should also explain why your suggested research is important and what it could add to the field of research as a whole.

Step 7: Make changes and edits


After you've finished writing your research paper, it's important to carefully edit and rewrite it. You should look over your plan to make sure it is clear, well-organized, and makes sense. You should also make sure that your plan meets the standards of the organization that is giving you money or the academic school to which you are sending it.

In conclusion, making a study paper can be hard, but if you do it the right way, it can also be a lot of fun. By following the steps in this guide, you can make a clear, short, and convincing study plan. Remember to pick a topic that is interesting and important, come up with a clear research question, write a thorough literature review, come up with a method, list the results you expect, and carefully edit and rewrite your proposal. Good luck!


Top 100 free university libraries across the world (Direct Link)

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the sheer amount of knowledge that universities hold? 🤯 Their libraries are seriously the heart of it all! 📚 #education #knowledgeispower Hey guys! Just wanted to share a little tip with you all - did you know that you don't have to be a student to enjoy some of the amazing perks that universities have to offer? 😉

 #LifeHack #UniversityPerks #NoAffiliationNeeded Hey guys! 🌎📚 If you're looking for some serious knowledge, check out these amazing university libraries from all over the globe! From digital archives to religious studies to national libraries, they've got everything you need to expand your mind and feed your curiosity! 🤓💡 #universitylibraries #globalknowledge #neverstoplearning Hey guys! Just wanted to share with you all that there are tons of amazing resources out there for all you designers! Keep on creating and never stop learning! 💻🎨 #designerlife #resources #neverstoplearning Hey guys! 🙌🏼 As a creative content creator, I'm always on the lookout for new and exciting resources to share with my amazing community. 💻🎨 That's why I've decided to expand my blog beyond just design and art and include a plethora of other libraries that everyone can enjoy! 🤩 Stay tuned for some seriously awesome content coming your way! 😎 #creativity #design #art #resources #communitylove

Hey guys! Are you looking for some amazing university libraries to explore? Look no further! I've compiled a list of 100 extensive university libraries from around the world that anyone can access. Trust me, these libraries are a book lover's paradise! Check it out now! #universitylibraries #booklovers #worldtravel



Hey guys! Have you heard about digital libraries? They are the ultimate game-changer when it comes to accessing information and resources. With just a few clicks, you can have access to thousands of books, articles, and other materials without ever leaving your house. It's like having a whole world of knowledge at your fingertips! Trust me, once you start using digital libraries, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. #digitallibraries #knowledgeispower #gamechanger

OMG, have you checked out these digital libraries? They are seriously amazing! They allow us to capture stunning images of manuscripts, art, and artefacts, preserving the past for future generations. Plus, we can easily share these treasures with everyone! #digitalarchives #preservinghistory #sharingiscaring

  1. Harvard University Library. Browse through 24 different collections ranging from cultural images of eastern Asia to 19th century American trade cards.
  2. Yale University Library: Digital Collections. Find ancient manuscripts or read a classic all preserved digitally courtesy of the Yale University Library.
  3. Indiana University Digital Library Program. Download manuscripts from Isaac Newton or view photographs, film literature, and music from the collections at this library.
  4. Michigan State University Digital and Multimedia Center. Find several texts from authors such as Joseph Conrad, Aesop’s Fables, cookbooks, and texts on orchids or veterinary medicine in PDF format.
  5. Columbia University Libraries Digital Collections. Browse through one of over 10 different digital collections that range from medieval and early Renaissance manuscripts to architectural drawings or visit the online exhibitions for even more.
  6. Rutgers University Digital Library Projects. Learn about the history of alcohol, New Jersey, Italy’s people, and much more in this diverse digital library.
  7. Ohio State University Libraries Collections. See photos of Bird’s expedition to the South Pole, learn about the women of Burlesque, and more in these digital archives.
  8. Syracuse University Digital Library. Find interesting information on the history of the New York area as well as recordings of popular WWII songs.
  9. Ohio University Libraries Digital Exhibits. Learn about Ohio history, visits from important people, read WWII papers, and more in these archives.
  10. Brown University Library, Center for Digital Initiatives. This collection includes such interesting topics ranging from Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon, and African American and Yiddish sheet music.
  11. JSU Houston Cole Library Digital Collections. In addition to profiles of several local historical figures, there is a collection of oral histories from people who lived through historic eras of the early to mid 20th century in America.

INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL LIBRARIES

These digital libraries either have a focus on a culture other than that of the United States or are housed in another country.

  1. The Digital South Asia Library. Sponsored by University of Chicago, this library provides images, reference material, statistics, indexes, and more all focusing on South Asia.
  2. Cambridge University Library Digital Image Collections. Study ancient texts, photographs from the late 19th century through the mid 20th century, Pascal’s Treatise on the Arithmetic Triangle, and more.
  3. Nagoya University LibraryThe manuscripts in these digital databases are in Japanese, as are most of the sites (with some English and French). Whether you know any Japanese or not, if you appreciate the beauty of ancient Japanese manuscripts, you can randomly click through these sites and find some beautiful images.
  4. Ryukoku University Electronic Exhibition. The digital collection from this university in Kyoto, Japan offers glimpses of art and manuscripts with descriptions of each in English.

BOOKS & TEXTS

These libraries offer books or texts for you to read online and free of charge.

  1. Universal Digital Library. Hosted by Carnegie Mellon University, this site offers one million online texts touching on literature, the arts, and science.
  2. The Perseus Digital Library. Find Greek and Latin classics, English Renaissance, and more on this site. Currently, a newer, more modern version is in testing, so feel free to give that a try too.
  3. The Oxford Text Archive. Scroll through these digitally preserved texts for access to hundreds of classic texts. If the text is available for download, it will be designated “free” to the right of the link.
  4. Kelvin Smith Library eBooks. This listing ranges from links to full-text reference material to style guides to classic dramas. They also have an exclusive collection of early American and British books.
  5. University of Chicago Library EOSFind image-based electronic texts available to all from the University of Chicago’s collection.

  6. The University of Adelaide Library e-Books. This Australian library offers free texts to all. Browse by author, title, chronology, or theme.

  7. Literary Resources on the Net. Hosted by Rutgers University, you can find any number of classic texts here categorized by category.

  8. The Internet Classics Archive. Find major classics, including some Chinese and Persian texts, on this site hosted by MIT.

  9. Renascence Editions. Find English language texts written between 1477 and 1799 at this site hosted by the University of Oregon. Scroll through the alphabetical listing to find texts by author.

  10. The Beck Center for Electronic Collections. This collection of resources hosted by Emory University offers projects such as Women’s Genre Fiction, The Belfast Group, and the W.B. Yeats Collection, all of which provide downloadable texts pertaining to each topic.

  11. Carrie: An Electronic Library. Hosted by the University of Kansas, this online library offers several collections with focus mainly on history and social sciences.

MEDICAL LIBRARIES

These libraries offer medical information for both the professional and the lay person.

  1. Welch Medical LibraryThis library, courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, offers a search feature for articles published in medical journals and online. They also have Subject Guides under the “eResources” section that offers links to topics ranging from Alternative Medicine to Grants and Funding to Writing and Publishing.
  2. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Center. Each page at this site provides a wealth of information explaining about specific types of cancer as well as topics related to cancer such as pain, fatigue, and genetics.
  3. Duke University Medical Center Library Online. Get databases, journals, tutorials, tools, and more at this medical library.
  4. Lamar Soutter Library. Courtesy of University of Massachusetts, this library offers plenty of information for the general public with access levels clearly labeled on most resources.
  5. Michigan Ear Institute Medical Library. Find several articles about diagnosis and treatment of ear issues in this online library intended for both professionals and laypersons.
  6. South Carolina Department of Mental Health. Geared toward both the professional and clients and their families, this site offers a wealth of information from the diagnostic stage to treatment.
  7. Encyclopedia of Psychology. This site run by Jacksonville State University provides links to anything related to psychology. Read about organizations, learn about the major theories, or find out about a career in the field.
  8. Children’s Hospital Boston Interactive FeaturesClick on these features to make neurons fire, see cell growth as you travel through cancer stages, create red blood cells, and more.
  9. Tufts Open Courseware. Tufts University medical school has put several medical courses online for anyone to access.
  10. Bastyr University. Focusing on natural health medicine, this university library offers a nice database with resources for natural medicine.

LEGAL LIBRARIES

Whether you are studying the law or are just interested in it, these libraries have information for you.

  1. UCLA Online Institute for Cyberspace Law and Policy. This archive provides a rich resource for all formative laws taking place between 1995 through 2002.
  2. Berkman Center for Internet & Society. A part of Harvard Law, find publications and research that pertain to Internet law.
  3. Emory Law Ready Reference. This site offers links to free primary and secondary research sources. Find an Internet Legal Research Guide among many other guides.
  4. Santa Clara Law Library. Find lots of legal resources available on the Internet as well as legal research guides here.
  5. Cornell University Law School Legal Information Institute. Find procedures, codes, and more at this resource for public legal information.
  6. New Jersey Digital Legal LibraryHosted by Rutgers University Library, you can find papers on New Jersey law and legal history here.
  7. Tarlton Law Library. From the University of Texas School of Law, this library offers access to plenty of information for the general public.
  8. USC Gould School of Law. This library provides users online access to journals, legal resources, and electronic resources.
  9. Wise Law Library. In addition to the databases, this site also offers links to helpful legal websites, research tools, and library tools courtesy of University of Colorado Law.
  10. O’Quinn Law Library. From University of Houston, this library has access to databases as well as a few special collections available online.

NATIONAL LIBRARIES OF EUROPE

The following libraries are both national libraries that offer a glimpse into the culture and history of the country they represent as well as hold affiliations with universities.

  1. National and University Library of Bosnia and HerzegovinaThis library is open to both those affiliated with the university and general readership, but note that there is not an English version available.
  2. The National and University Library in ZagrebThis library in Croatia offers collections of ancient papers and manuscripts available online.
  3. Copenhagen University Library. In conjunction with the National Library, this site offers a wide range of materials available in both English and Danish.
  4. National and University Library of IcelandLook at ancient maps of Iceland or explore the multiple databases available on this site. Some areas are restricted to those associated with the university.
  5. National and University Library St. Kliment Ohridski – Skopje. Available in English, this library of the former Yugolslov Republic of Macedonia offers a limited amount of information online, but you can access some databases. Members of the library have access to more sections.
  6. National and University Library of Slovenia. The digital library offers access to many national treasures of Slovenian history. Much of the website can be navigated in English.

WORLD RELIGION LIBRARIES

From various types of Christianity to Judaism to Buddhism, these libraries offer an opportunity for religious research.

  1. Hartford Seminary Library. Find books, dissertations, and more on Christian theology here. Some access is restricted to students of the seminary.
  2. Brigham Young University Digital Collections. Click on “Text Collections” for a wide range of available texts including children’s literature, sermons of John Donne, and a huge collection of Mormon literature.
  3. The Divinity Library, Vanderbilt University. Get the revised common lectionary, access their many free databases, and read guides on how to do religious research at this library.
  4. University of California Library Religious Studies. Use research tools, use library guides, and browse through the religious studies collection at this library.
  5. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library. Research with the online databases, take advantage of tutorials, and more at this site.
  6. The Catholic University of America Library. Research religious studies, philosophy, and canon laws at this library.
  7. Ostrow Library at American Jewish UniversitySearch databases, take advantage of suggested links, and more at this library focusing on Jewish culture and civilization.
  8. Digital Library and Museum of Buddhist Studies. Hosted by National Taiwan University Library, this site offers scriptures, tools, and more to help your study of Buddhism.
  9. Al – Islam Digital Library. Discover Islam by browsing through material selected from our Library. A simple guide for those who wish to journey through material available in the Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library in order to find out more about Islam as taught by the Prophet and his family.

SPECIALIZED COLLECTION

From maps to architectural images to information on deafness, these libraries offer a very specialized collection.

  1. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Study topographical maps from around the world at this library.
  2. Texas Tech University Libraries 3D Animation Lab. Learn the basics and find some handy tools to get you started with creating your own 3D animation.
  3. United Nations University LibraryBrowse through this online library with the mission of solving global concerns and bringing peace worldwide.
  4. News and Newspapers Online. A service of the University Libraries of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, this library will help you find current news anywhere in the world.
  5. SPIRO. Courtesy of University of California, Berkeley, you can find over 270,000 architectural images in both slide and photograph format.
  6. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library. Find two online collections that offer images of ancient Chinese maps.
  7. Documenting the American SouthHosted by the University of North Carolina, you can find full texts by various authors that document the Southern Americana heritage.
  8. University of Minnesota Human Rights Library. Read more than 85,000 human rights documents at this online library.
  9. Gallaudet University Library. This library has an extensive section on deaf research including statistics, deaf people and animals, ways librarians can communicate, and more.
  10. Hargrett Library Rare Map Collection. View more than 800 maps ranging over a 500 year time span in this online collection from University of Georgia Libraries.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

Whether you are researching Mark Twain or war in the 20th century, these libraries offer resources to help you.

  1. HighWire Press. Hosted by Stanford University, this free repository holds journals and other academic articles available to the general public.
  2. Mark Twain ProjectCo-sponsored by the University of California, you can find texts, documents, and research available online about the life and works of Mark Twain.
  3. Project Euclid. Sponsored by Cornell University, this site offers online resources for math and statistics.
  4. NARCISHosted by Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, this database provides access to scientific papers based out of the Netherlands.
  5. The World of DanteStudy Dante’s Inferno online courtesy of the University of Virginia. It has been tagged using SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) to enhance the interface and study of this poem.
  6. Southwestern Writers Collection. Texas State University houses a huge collection of manuscripts and information on southwestern writers. Much of the information is available online in the archives.
  7. Peace and War in the 20th Century. From McMaster University Library in Ontario, this library provides records, case studies, a time line, and more focusing on war and peace around the world in the 20th century.
  8. Internet Public Library. Founded by University of Michigan School of Information and hosted by Drexel University’s College of Information Science & Technology, this incredibly comprehensive library has plenty to offer.

AMERICAN UNIVERSITES

These American university libraries have plenty to offer to anyone who takes the time to explore what is available.

  1. University of Texas Libraries. Browse through the multiple libraries and museums available on this site. Some access is restricted to those affiliated with the university, but there is plenty of information for the general public.
  2. Georgetown University Library. Search you databases, journals, and special collections at this combination of both the Lauinger Library and the Blommer Science Library.
  3. Princeton University Library This library offers lots of information for the general public. Be sure to check out their incredible reference database too.
  4. LSU Libraries: Special Collections. While only parts of these special collections are available online, you can learn about the oral history of Louisiana, rare books, and the Civil War.
  5. University of Nevada, Reno Libraries. Find Basque books and films, information on Earth sciences and mining, and maps and history of the Nevada area at this library.
  6. Washington University Libraries. Ask a librarian, find journal articles, and browse through reference sources here.
  7. Howard University Library System. Students and non-students alike can take advantage of the databases, catalog, and faculty papers.
  8. University of Delaware Library. In addition to access to five libraries, you can also view a digital collection, instructional media collection, and other special collections.
  9. University of Virginia LibraryThis library offers a good selection of labs, such as the digital media lab, which the general public can access portions of online.
  10. J. Willard Marriott Library. From University of Utah, this library offers a good selection of special collections, digital collections, and more.

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES

Travel around the world from your computer and learn what these international university libraries have to offer.

  1. The University of Edinburgh. The resources here are available to the general public; however, most licensed electronic resources are not available to non-university people.
  2. The Library at UCD Dublin. While much of the information is restricted to either those associated with the university or visiting scholars, the general public can access electronic resources including eBooks, online reference sources, and more.
  3. University of Oxford Bodleian Library e-Resources. This library offers a good selection of resources available to all ranging from digital archives to research articles written by Oxford authors.
  4. Bibliotheque de la SorbonneCheck out the electronic resources for the biggest selection available to the general public at this library. The site is completely in French.
  5. Free University of Berlin Universitatsbibliothek. Research 700 databases and 20,000 journals in this university’s digital library. The site is available in English, but some of the pages may only be available in German.
  6. Roskilde University Library. Of the open-access services available at this library, there is a good mix of information in both English and Danish.
  7. Stockholm University Library. Search the databases, e-books, and e-journals available at this library. Not all information is accessible by the general public, but what is available is clearly marked.
  8. University Library Ghent. This library in Belgium offers digital databases with historic photographs and more, a section with a five-year focus on architecture, and much more. Some of the site is available in English.
  9. Open University of Catalonia. Search for information in English, Spanish, or Catalan in this library that offers an online collection ranging across many topics including the arts, philosophy, labor sciences, law, marketing, tourism, and more.
  10. University of Zurich. This university has made several libraries and online databases available for use. There is a mix of resources in both English and German.
  11. National University of Singapore Libraries. Get links to information about Singapore from government to statistics as well as the ability to search the university databases.