Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why did digital libraries allow users to access information without visiting a building?

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British Museum: Reading Room — library Reading Room of the British Museum, designed by Sidney Smirke in collaboration with Anthony Panizzi and built in the 1850s. Illustration by Smirke, from the *Illustrated London News*, 1857.

Digital libraries allow users to access information without visiting a physical building because they utilize advancements in computers, telecommunications, and electronic networks to store and retrieve data remotely.12

By leveraging Internet connections, telephone lines, or cable systems, these "virtual libraries" provide access to vast collections of information from any location equipped with a computer. This shift has transformed the traditional library model—which was once defined primarily as a physical storehouse for books and records—into a far-reaching service that delivers information in electronic formats, such as digital texts, databases, and online catalogs.321

Consequently, users can locate, order, and receive information directly from their homes, bypassing the need to travel to a specific facility to consult physical materials.13