Webupon

it seems that not even the experts can agree on one simple definition. Over the years the term has been used to describe everything including a single web page, basic electronic sections of a public library and collections of e journals or online databases. The most appropriate definition I can make is a combination of various definitions found on Edward Fox’s definition page and course information from a web page from LIBR 500 at the University of British Columbia.

A digital library is a complicated information system of organized and managed resources, mainly web accessible. These resources can include text, images, sound and video files. The resources are not only document replacements but also digital artifacts that may not be available or able to be distributed in printed formats. To truly make the collection of resources a library they must be accompanied be a system for cataloging, indexing, organizing and retrieving the information in a way that can satisfy the information needs of patrons by making the discovery and use of resources straightforward. A digital library must include a staff that specializes in the system maintenance and to answer any technical or navigational questions by patrons.

The reason that I feel this definition is the best, or most complete that I can put together, is because it describes a digital library as it must be to improve and provide access to collections that might not be otherwise available to the general public. It also allows for the continued developments in collections and technology. A digital library must be more than remote access to a site for users, it must also aid in preserving collections and providing access to holdings only available in digital formats. If the information is not easily accessible and there is not a reliable system in place to answer patron questions than it is not truly a library. A library is a place to find information, entertainment and assistance, if these things are not avalible that I do not feel that it is a library, digital or traditional.

Despite the varied needs of patrons using digital information, and the great variety of information available through the organizations building digital libraries, there are still some common topics and issues discussed in the majority of articles and course information I have read. One of the most common problems with digital information is of course the money involved. Obtaining the proper hardware and software as well as the needed technical support can greatly impact any budget. The cost of staffing for scanning materials, proof reading scanned materials as well as the inevitable upgrades for equipment and software add up very quickly.

Another common discussion topic is selection. Which e-journals to subscribe to, which printed items to scan into digital format first, and what materials does your organization have the proper copyright and permission to publish in digital format for everyone to have access to? Every group must be extremely careful about what they publish in digital form in regards to copyright. We must be certain that anything we put in a digital collection does not infringe on copyright laws and that proper security measures are put in place to protect others from copying the files.

One issue that I did not see discussed as much as I thought it might, or should be, is that of making digital libraries accessible to individuals with disabilities. Small icons and options in java script windows can pose a great obstacle to those with poor motor skills. An audio file is useless without a text equivalent to a patron that is hearing impaired. A visually impaired user is almost always out of luck unless their voice software, which can convert text on a web page into sound, is compatible with the digital library’s site. These are things that are not in the forefront of digital library issues but need to be addressed to provide equal access to information.

We must also be aware of the technology gap. Some individuals find Internet and computer-based research easy and simple to navigate while others are very uncomfortable with today’s ever expanding technology. Another barrier to use is software incompatibility. Some technologies only work with certain browsers or computer platforms. There is also the issue of bandwidth and modem speeds. Patrons accessing digital information through dial up modems can have an extremely frustrating experience, for them it could be easier and quicker to access information via a CD-ROM instead of waiting for a sound or image file to upload from a busy web site.

Today digital libraries and changing and growing as fast as the computer technology. The quality of digital information is increasing along with the hardware and software that can create and store it. The number of patrons utilizing Internet research and digital libraries is growing, as are their expectations. However, as this growth happens many organizations are facing devastating budget cuts. Thankfully the costs of digital storage, such as CD-ROMs, tape drives and servers have declined while the number of publications offering internet subscription have increased. In some cases the Internet versions of publications have completely supplanted paper editions due to the funding decreases and space restrictions.

One trend prevalent in the digital library world is a search for a universal statement of the definition and standards for today’s digital library as well as those of the future. More filters and better search systems have also become available for multimedia information. This is allowing easier and more productive access to digital information, which will only improve as time goes on and technology advances even further. Encryption, water marking and other security measures are becoming commercially implemented and are more available. This has become a necessary trend in digital libraries to protect digital information.
Another trend in digital libraries is the increasing quality and frequency of online reference services. This is a trend I find very important for a digital library to truly function. These services have emerged in several forms such as e-mail or contact forms to the reference librarian on duty. More recently we are also seeing digital libraries using chat technologies or instant messaging software to allow for real-time assistance, building a virtual reference desk for the digital library.

All of these emerging trends depend on the emerging technology and the research done by organizations trying to create well functioning digital libraries. One major area being researched is interoperability, trying to improve the cross platform or browser compatibility. This involves a protocol design that would support a broader range of interaction types to allow for more accessibility and more collaborative efforts among libraries and object interchange protocols. Careful design of extensibility in digital library systems will help facilitate understanding of new methods and approaches with out the need to displace the installed base.

Another research area is collection management and organization. Deciding how to classify files and information while preserving the digital content for long periods of time across the ever-changing hardware and software technology and standards. This also involves finding a way to display the information in an effective, practical and attractive manner. User interfaces and human to computer interaction issues are very important.
There is a need for a more comprehensive understanding of user needs, wants and behavior that must be taken into account to create the most effective cataloging, search and display systems.

Rights management, economic models for the use of electronic resources and billing systems to support the economic models are also being intensively researched. User privacy must be carefully considered as well. Existing library practice, as well as digital library usage might shed some light on these topics, but the social context of digital information including authorship, ownership, authenticity and integrity require a better understanding. Research in all of these areas is greatly needed, and is underway, to help digital libraries meet their goals.