Digital Libraries

View Sample PDF

Author(s): Micah Altman (Harvard University, USA)
Copyright: 2008
Pages: 10
Source title: Handbook of Research on Public Information Technology
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): G. David Garson (North Carolina State University, USA)and Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59904-857-4.ch015

Keywords: Electronic Government / Government & Law / Information Science Reference

Purchase

View Digital Libraries on the publisher's website for pricing and purchasing information.

Abstract

Digital libraries are collections of digital content and services selected by a curator for use by a particular user community. Digital libraries offer direct access to the content of a wide variety of intellectual works, including text, audio, video, and data; and may offer a variety of services supporting search, access, and collaboration. In the last decade digital libraries have rapidly become ubiquitous because they offer convenience, expanded access, and search capabilities not present in traditional libraries. This has greatly altered how library users find and access information, and has put pressure on traditional libraries to take on new roles. However, information professionals have raised compelling concerns regarding the sizeable gaps in the holdings of digital libraries, about the preservation of existing holdings, and about sustainable economic models. This chapter presents an overview of the history, advantages, disadvantages, and design principles relating to digital libraries, and highlights important controversies and trends. For an excellent comprehensive discussion of the use, cost and benefits of digital libraries see Lesk (2005), for further discussion of architectural and design issues see Arms (2000), and see Witten and Bainbridge (2002) for a detailed example of the mechanics of implementing a digital library.

The IRMA Community

Research IRM

Digital Libraries

Purchase

Abstract

Related Content

IRMA Sponsors