From Virtual Libraries to Digital Libraries: The Role of Digital Libraries in Information Communities

Libraries ◽  
2002 ◽  
pp. 59-90
Author(s):  
Amandeep Kaur

In modern era, libraries are playing role in two parts- first is physical and second is virtual. Library users are demanding virtual library as well as a physical library because of their learning demands can be fulfilled by virtual libraries. Virtual library planning and designing can provide a rich learning environment. In library and information Science various terms are used to describe virtual libraries: digital libraries, electronic libraries, e-libraries, and the broader term virtual library. In this paper, the term virtual library is used to describe any managed collection of information sources in an electronic format. Therefore, virtual libraries can include digital collections of pictures, maps, Web sites, or library records.


Author(s):  
Dharambeer Singh

Digital libraries, designed to serve people and their information needs in the same way as traditional libraries, present distinct advantages over brick and mortar facilities: elimination of physical boundaries, round-the-clock access to information, multiple access points, networking abilities, and extended search functions. As a result, they should be especially well-suited for the disables. However, minorities, those affected by lower income and education status, persons living in rural areas, the physically challanged, and developing countries as a whole consistently suffer from a lack of accessibility to digital libraries. This paper evaluates the effectiveness and relevance of digital libraries currently in place and discusses what could and should be done to improve accessibility to digital libraries for under-graduate students.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 496-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatella Castelli
Keyword(s):  

Author(s):  
Harpreet Kaur

The Digital library plays an important role in promoting the use of information. Digital libraries give solutions to main challenges to traditional libraries such as storage. This paper discusses the concept of digital library and how it helps in conserving manuscripts and what type of equipments or software are required in this work. We want digital information in every field so that every library should be a digital library. It highlights the Necessity, Challenges and issues in creating digital library, there are certain issues which should be taken care like copyright and Intellectual Property Right. This article also explores successful digital library project set up in India and what is the future of digital library in Indian scenario.


Author(s):  
Harpreet Kaur

The Digital library plays an important role in promoting the use of information. Digital libraries give solutions to main challenges to traditional libraries such as storage. This paper discusses the concept of digital library and how it helps in conserving manuscripts and what type of equipments or software are required in this work. We want digital information in every field so that every library should be a digital library. It highlights the Necessity, Challenges and issues in creating digital library, there are certain issues which should be taken care like copyright and Intellectual Property Right. This article also explores successful digital library project set up in India and what is the future of digital library in Indian scenario.


Author(s):  
Prakash Dongardive

During the decade of 1990s the term digital libraries become a recognized phrase for describing libraries that offer access to digital information by using a variety of networks, including internet and world wide web. Other synonyms used interchangeably with digital libraries are library without walls and electronic and virtual libraries because every online or virtual source of information is electronic source of information but every electronic information sources are not online or virtual form, so digital or electronic library includes digital contents and that can be delivered any time anywhere to the networked computer. Digital libraries provide remote access to the contents and the services of the libraries and other information sources combining an onsite collection of current and heavily used materials in both print and electronic form with an electronic networks which provide access to and delivery for worldwide libraries and commercial information and knowledge sources. Basically the digital libraries are the metaphor for the networked libraries. In the light of this therefore, this chapter discussed digital libraries as information superhighway looking at issues like factors responsible for the emergence of digital libraries, influence internet on digital libraries, etc.


Author(s):  
Vusi W. Tsabedze

This chapter aims to discuss the potential of digital libraries to offer unparalleled resources for supporting open distance e-learning (ODeL). This chapter addresses and discusses such features as what is meant by ODeL and how it can be supported by the library and the functionality of the digital library, and how ODeL resources are included and organised in the digital library environment. The chapter explores the advantages of digital libraries for ODeL and the types of learning that can be supported by digital libraries. There is surely an interest in the usage of electronic resources for teaching, learning, and research, but this appears to be matched by a lack of awareness of how best to assimilate these resources into ODeL. The chapter provides valuable insight into the role and influence of digital libraries and e-resources on ODeL.


Author(s):  
Ahmed Shawish ◽  
Maria Salama

Rapid advances in information processing, storage, and communication technologies have revolutionized the role of the libraries. This chapter reviews the library services, problems and drivers of change from the classical form to the digital one. The chapter then focuses on the current cloud era. It comparatively covers the library cloud-based platforms, services, management systems, innovative products and opened environments in terms of their characteristics, added values, pros and cons. A comprehensive survey on the digital libraries in the cloud era is presented in this chapter.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document