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1 – 10 of over 31000David Bawden, Polona Vilar and Vlasta Zabukovec
To determine and compare approaches to the education and training of librarians for work in digital libraries. More precisely, to identify – in general terms, rather than…
Abstract
Purpose
To determine and compare approaches to the education and training of librarians for work in digital libraries. More precisely, to identify – in general terms, rather than specifically – the important competencies required by information professionals in creating and managing digital libraries, and in facilitating their use, and to assess how these competencies are treated in LIS education and training, and therefore how the capacities of the information professions are being developed.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature analysis of the skill sets required by librarians working with digital materials. Evaluation of formal education and of professional development programmes in the UK and in Slovenia, to assess how these needs are being met.
Findings
Both formal education and continuing development training are adapting to cover aspects of the digital library environment, both in the UK and in Slovenia. This is happening as part of the normal process of the redesign of degree programmes and of training courses. Digital library skills and knowledge – embodying conceptual, semantic, syntactic and technical aspects – are being included in existing courses, for the most part, rather than in entities labelled “digital library”. This approach has strengths and also weaknesses. While there is some agreement on core topics, there is much variation in how they are presented, and in the relative importance given to them.
Research limitations/implications
Based on comparison of education and training programmes in two countries, the UK and Slovenia.
Practical implications
Recommendations for curricula are made.
Originality/value
Provides an insight into education and training needs in a developing and important area.
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To study the construction and planning of the library service facility system based on public digital culture teaching in international cultural metropolises, the main body of…
Abstract
To study the construction and planning of the library service facility system based on public digital culture teaching in international cultural metropolises, the main body of resources construction, channels, selection criteria, construction standards, user service policies, service methods and service objects of the National Digital Library of Russia were analyzed. The construction foundation, policy support and digital resource construction of the Chinese and Russian national digital libraries were compared. The results showed that the problem of digital copyright was solved while the library community was constructing digital resources according to the existing rules. Therefore, this method has certain implications for the construction of digital libraries in metropolitan areas in China.
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Titilola Aminat Bayero Abdussalam, Janet Oluseyi Adewara, Jamiu Wankasi Abdulraheem, Tunde Toyese Oyedokun and Tawakalitu Raufu Balogun
Funding issues is observed to be the major stumbling block for the development of digital libraries in Nigeria. Hence, this paper aims to explore issues in obtaining and…
Abstract
Purpose
Funding issues is observed to be the major stumbling block for the development of digital libraries in Nigeria. Hence, this paper aims to explore issues in obtaining and allocating funds for digital library development.
Design/methodology/approach
The review is an explorative report of the state of affairs of digital library development in Nigeria with the associated fundraising issues.
Findings
Digital library initiatives are coincidental development with transformational change in the technology-driven world of global information distribution. The desire of the information users to have better-unrestricted access to information becomes the hallmark of digital content development and web-based information services. The goal of making information accessible globally to large and diverse information users was achievable with the development of a digital library that provides enhanced information services, improves access and usability of digital information resources.
Originality/value
The library of the future has already materialized in form of digital library services, but the cost of developing a digital library is not foreseeable cheap, and if Nigerian libraries are to achieve digital library service goal, alternative sources of finance need to be sought after through fundraising scheme from friends of the library, rental services, consultation fees and collaboration effort on library consortia as well as advocacy for open access initiatives.
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Ali Shiri and Sarah Chase‐Kruszewski
The purpose of this paper is to report an investigation into the types of knowledge organisation systems (KOSs) utilised in North American digital library collections.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report an investigation into the types of knowledge organisation systems (KOSs) utilised in North American digital library collections.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper identifies, analyses and deep scans online North American hosted digital libraries. It reviews the literature related to the application of KOSs on the web, identifies widely used KOSs and tools and reviews the literature related to collaborative collections on the web.
Findings
A total of 269 North American digital library collections were examined. The Library of Congress Subject Headings is the most widely used subject representation tool, followed by domain‐specific thesauri, 113 digital library collections make use of locally developed taxonomies. A few collections use the Dewy Decimal Classification and alphabetical indexes.
Research limitations/implications
This research was limited to North American digital library collections.
Practical implications
The findings show the popular KOSs used in digital library collections. It also shows the organisational contexts of the examined digital library collections.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the areas of digital libraries and to the application of KOSs and services for subject representation and access.
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This column gives an overview of current trends in digital library research under the following headings: digital library architecture, systems, tools and technologies; digital…
Abstract
This column gives an overview of current trends in digital library research under the following headings: digital library architecture, systems, tools and technologies; digital content and collections; metadata; interoperability; standards; knowledge organisation systems; users and usability; legal, organisational, economic, and social issues in digital libraries.
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Aims to focus on the need for appropriately trained librarians of the next‐generation, the “Digital Librarians”, with particular emphasis on China.
Abstract
Purpose
Aims to focus on the need for appropriately trained librarians of the next‐generation, the “Digital Librarians”, with particular emphasis on China.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper first analyzes the definition and features of the digital library, and is followed by an introduction to digital libraries developing in China. Work modes and quality composition of digital librarians are then analyzed and discussed.
Findings
Digital libraries emerging in the information age represent an inevitable trend for library development. A digital library contains a vast amount of digital information resources in multiple media. It may provide readers with diversified information services using digital and network technologies. In addition to certain hardware and software availabilities, the evolving digital library requires appropriately trained librarians of the next‐generation, the “Digital Librarians”, which forms the theme of this paper.
Originality/value
Provides recommendations and measures on how China can develop further its digital librarians.
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Michael Seadle and Elke Greifeneder
This editorial seeks to examine the definition of a “digital library” to see whether one can be constructed that usefully distinguishes a digital library from other types of…
Abstract
Purpose
This editorial seeks to examine the definition of a “digital library” to see whether one can be constructed that usefully distinguishes a digital library from other types of electronic resources.
Design/methodology/approach
The primary methodology compares definitions from multiple settings, including formal institutional settings, working definitions from articles, and a synthesis created in a seminar at Humboldt University in Berlin.
Findings
At this point, digital libraries are evolving too fast for any lasting definition. Definitions that users readily understand are too broad and imprecise, and definitions with more technical precision quickly grow too obscure for common use.
Originality/value
A functional definition of a digital library would add clarity to a burgeoning field, especially when trying to evaluate a resource. The student perspective provides a fresh look at the problem.
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A. Alemna and M. Cobblah
To share with a global readership the progress made and the infrastructure in the making to create digital resources and utilize digital resources in libraries in Africa.
Abstract
Purpose
To share with a global readership the progress made and the infrastructure in the making to create digital resources and utilize digital resources in libraries in Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
Comparisons of how digital libraries evolved or transitioned in more developed parts of the world with Africa. Issues of intellectual property are key interests that need to be reinforced in Africa as the digital library movement matures.
Findings
Africa is ready to pursue developing digital libraries in a more earnest way but lacks some basic resources. Information technology is expanding throughout Africa but at a slower pace, yet with intense efforts directed towards training and implementing more automation.
Research limitations/implications
A more serious infrastructure needs to be established to see the launch of more digital library components in African libraries. The understanding is there but the resources remain undependable and costly to implement on any serious scale.
Practical implications
Serious infrastructure issues need to be resolved in addition to working out the economic and commercial limitations, the legal situation and creating a digital rights roadmap for seeing the digital library provision in place.
Originality/value
The need to catch up with trends in libraries worldwide is sincere and efforts are well underway to create more electronic resources and make digital libraries more of a reality in already information deprived regions of the world.
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This study investigates the state of education for digital libraries. For this study, a Web survey was conducted of syllabi of courses on the subject of digital libraries (DL)…
Abstract
This study investigates the state of education for digital libraries. For this study, a Web survey was conducted of syllabi of courses on the subject of digital libraries (DL). Similarities and differences on such subjects as teaching emphases, course outlines, textbooks and assignments were compared. The majority of classes now contain a “hands‐on” element, a practical component of the course that requires that the students interact with digital libraries. Not all of the course contents are up‐to‐date in the field of library and information technology. While the quality of DL education seems to have advanced at those schools and institutions that offer classes with “hands‐on” requirements, the educational approach at many of the “hands‐off” universities seems somewhat technophobic and overly dependent on outdated pedagogical methods. Those students who have received practical experience with digital libraries, like those provided in the “hands‐on” courses, appear to be best served for future practice in the field of librarianship.
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Anup Kumar Das, Chaitali Dutta and B.K. Sen
The purpose of this paper is to assess the present situation in the development of indigenous digital libraries in India. The study aims to evaluate different retrieval features…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the present situation in the development of indigenous digital libraries in India. The study aims to evaluate different retrieval features of Indian digital libraries, especially those provide access to multilingual and multimedia documents.
Design/methodology/approach
For this study, eight digital libraries originated in India, which are available in 24×7 timeframe and accessible worldwide through the internet, have been identified and selected. The retrieval features and other information on these digital libraries have been collected mostly from their respective websites and from other published literature, annual reports, etc.
Findings
The paper finds that Indian digital libraries provide universal access to informative and culturally rich digital content related to South Asian region. The digitisation efforts in Indian institutions make these digital libraries operational.
Research limitations/implications
The institutional repositories and open access archives of Indian institutions that give access to the current research literature are not included in this study, because their retrieval features are mostly similar to each other as they use either DSpace or GNU EPrints open source software.
Practical implications
Indigenous digital libraries in India provide universal access to information and knowledge related to culture and heritage of people of South Asian counties. This study gives an insight on how diverse contents are integrated and disseminated to the end‐users in a user‐friendly manner. This study also indicates research initiatives on different aspects of multilingual contents in this region.
Originality/value
No such evaluation on Indian digital libraries has been done from the perspective of information retrieval features. This study will generate new knowledge in area of indigenous digital libraries in a developing country like India. This study is also an attempt to popularise Indian indigenous digital libraries among the world community.
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