OVERVIEW OF DIGITAL LIBRARY

Objectives

1. Definition and History/Overview of Digital Libraries

2. Functions of Digital Libraries
3. Characteristics of Digital Libraries
4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Libraries
5. Current Trends of Digital Libraries and Health
Information Services
6. Categories and Types of Digital Libraries (Stand-Alone
Digital Libraries (SADL); Virtual Libraries and Hybrid
Digital Libraries.
 Introduction

Libraries are redesigning services and information

products to add value to their services and satisfy the
user community's changing information needs.

Traditional libraries are still handling largely printed

materials that are expensive and bulky. Information
seekers are no longer satisfied with only printed
materials. They want to supplement the printed
information with more dynamic electronic resources.
Demands for digital information are increasing.
• Libraries are the systematized collection of
books, newsletters, periodicals and consist of
various recorded data or information.
• They provide factual information which helps
the users to get the information they require
for different purposes.
• In today’s world, the traditional form of
libraries has been changed replacing the
traditional methods of storing the information
with digital information i.e. online databases,
CDs etc.
• Time is the major constraint for today’s users
of information.
• Hence the users need information within
the time frame.
• Now days, access to information can be done
in a fraction of seconds.
• There are many for
reasons
transformation of libraries such the
information, improved as
technological timely
technology skills, fast and quick retrieval of
data etc. and
 What is a Digital Library?
• A digital library is a
collection of digital
objects, such as books,
magazines, audio
recordings, video
recordings and other
documents that are
accessible
electronically.
 What is a Digital Library?
Larson defined a digital library as a
global virtual. A digital library is a
library which has all the information
in electronic form and has electronic
devices to have access to the digitized
information.
 The term Digital Libraries
• Digital libraries have evolved as a result of fast
technological development to cater to the needs of
individuals with varying interests in various fields.
• Although the term digital library has gained
popularity in recent years, such libraries they have
evolved along the technological ladder for the past 30
years.
• There is lot of interest in digital libraries today.
 What Are Digital Libraries Used For?
• Digital libraries provide users with online access to
a wide range of resources.
• They are often used by students for research or by
professionals seeking to stay current on the latest
developments in their field.
• Digital libraries can provide users with access to
rare and out-of-print materials that might be
difficult or impossible to locate in physical libraries.
• Digital libraries also offer a variety of search and
sorting features, as well as social media-like
features that can connect users with others to
discuss topics.
Characteristics of Digital Library
Digital Format: Stores materials in digital forms
(text, images, audio, video).
Accessibility: Available from anywhere with an
internet connection.
Searchability: Advanced search features for
quick information retrieval.
Interactivity: Allows user engagement, like
annotations and discussions.
Preservation: Ensures long-term preservation
of digital materials.
Characteristics of Digital Library
User-Centric Design: Intuitive interfaces for
easy navigation.
Scalability: Easily accommodates growing
collections.
Cost-Effectiveness: Reduces costs of physical
storage and maintenance.
Global Reach: Serves a worldwide audience,
removing geographical barriers.
Function of A Library
• Resource Collection
• Information Access
• User Support
• Education and Literacy
• Community Engagement
• Research Assistance
• Preservation
• Curation and Cataloging
Function of A Digital Library
• provides access to a very large information
collection in a digital form and DL supports
multi-media content
• is network accessible and provides user friendly
interface
• offers links to local/external objects vi) support
advance search and retrieval and supports the
traditional library mission of collection,
development, organization, access and
presentation
Function of A Digital Library
• supports publishing, annotation and integration of
new information and brings together people with
formal, informal and professional learning
missions
• provides an easy mechanism for resource sharing
with other libraries. Sharing of digital files is much
easier.
 Advantages Of Using A Digital Library
• Access to an expansive collection of materials,
• Increased convenience because users can access the
library from anywhere with an internet connection
• Powerful search and sorting features to narrow results,
• Digital libraries also offer a more engaging experience
for users with interactive elements, as well as social
media-like features for connecting with other users and
exploring topics in new ways.
• Digital libraries often offer a variety of customization
options so that organizations can tailor the experience
to their needs.
• The accessibility and versatility of digital libraries make
them invaluable resources for students, professionals,
and anyone seeking knowledge or entertainment.
 Disadvantages Of Using A Digital Library
• Digital Divide: Limited access for individuals without
internet connectivity or technology, creating inequality.
• Technical Issues: Users may encounter technical
problems, such as software glitches or hardware
malfunctions.
• Information Overload: The vast amount of information
can overwhelm users, making it difficult to find relevant
resources.
• Copyright and Licensing: Legal restrictions on digital
content can limit access and usability.
• Quality Control: The abundance of online resources can
lead to variability in quality, making it harder to find
reliable information.
 Disadvantages Of Using A Digital Library
• Preservation Challenges: Digital materials may become
obsolete due to changing technologies and formats.
• Security Risks: Digital libraries can be vulnerable to cyber
threats, data breaches, and unauthorized access.
• User Skills: Some users may lack the necessary skills to
effectively navigate digital systems and utilize online
resources.
• Less Personal Interaction: Reduced face-to-face
interaction with librarians may hinder personalized
assistance and support.
• Costs of Technology: Institutions may face high costs for
technology infrastructure, maintenance, and digital
content acquisition.
Components of Digital Libraries
 DLs contain a variety of materials,
technologies, services and
standards
 Digital library architectures provide
a view of the underlying structures
and frameworks on which DLs are
built

Chapter 10 20
Conceptual design of digital library

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Components of digital library
 Arms (1997) names the following
components for digital libraries:
 User interfaces
 Repository
 Handle system
 Search system
 Social networking sites

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User Interface
 This is the point of interaction
between a user and a computer
system
 User interface for end-users to get
access to the library and its
collections
 User interface for librarians and
system administrators who manage
collections
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Components of user interface
 It encompasses all the elements
that allow users to interact with a
system, including; Visual
components, Text, Buttons, Icons,
 The primary goal of a user interface
is to facilitate user interaction in a
way that is intuitive, efficient, and
enjoyable.

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 Key Components of User Interface
 Visual Design: This includes layout,
colours, typography, and others. Good
visual design helps guide users through
the interface and makes it appealing.
 Interactive Elements: These are
components that users can manipulate,
such as buttons, sliders, input fields,
and menus. They enable users to
perform tasks and access functions.

Chapter 10 25
 Cont…
 Navigation: A well-designed navigation
system allows users to easily find their
way through an application or website.
This includes menus, breadcrumbs, and
search functions.
 Feedback Mechanisms: Providing
users with feedback (such as
notifications, alerts, or visual cues) helps
them understand the results of their
actions, enhancing the overall
experience Chapter 10 26
Cont…
 Accessibility: A good user
interface is accessible to all users,
including those with disabilities. This
can involve considerations like font
size, color contrast, and alternative
text for images.

Chapter 10 27
Types of User Interface

1. Graphical User Interface (GUI):

Involves visual elements like
windows, icons, and buttons,
commonly used in desktop
applications and mobile apps.
2. Command-Line Interface (CLI):
Users interact with the system
through text commands. This type is
often used by developers and
system administrators.
28
Cont..

3. Touch User Interface: Designed

for touchscreens, this interface is
prevalent in smartphones and tablets,
enabling users to interact through
taps, swipes, and gestures.
4. Voice User Interface (VUI):
Allows users to interact with devices
through voice commands, commonly
used in virtual assistants like Siri and
Alexa.
Chapter 10 29
Cont..
 In summary, the user interface is a
crucial aspect of technology design
that significantly impacts how users
interact with and perceive a system
or application. A well-designed UI
enhances usability, satisfaction, and
overall effectiveness.

Chapter 10 30
Repository
 Repository store and manage digital
objects and other information.
 Repository is a centralized location
where data, files, or resources are
stored and managed.

Chapter 10 31
Handle system
 Handles are general-purpose
identifiers that can be used to
identify digital objects, over long
periods and to manage materials
stored in any repository or
database.
 Examples DOI: Digital Object
Identifiers
 ISBN
 Persistent Uniform Resource Locator
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Search System

There will be many indexes and

catalogs in a digital library that can
be searched to discover information
before retrieving it from a repository.
These indexes may be independently
managed and support a wide range of
protocols. Databases, information
retrieval systems, and content
management systems are examples

Chapter 10 33
Social Networking sites
 Social networking, bookmarking and
tagging
 Reviews
 Recommendation features
 Citation and reference linking
 Bibliometric tools

Chapter 10 34
Cont..

35
Digital Library Open Source
Software
 Greenstone
 Fedora
 D-space
 Eprint

Chapter 10 36
Greenstone
 An open-source multilingual
application developed by the New
Zealand Digital Library Project at
the University of WaikatoDeveloped
and distributed in cooperation with
UNESCO and the Human Info NGO.

Chapter 10 37
Greenstone features
 Full text and fielded search
 Browsing facilities
 Facility to add document metadata
 Multimedia collections
 Can support millions of documents

Chapter 10 38
Fedora
 Jointly developed by Cornell
University and the University of
Virginia LibraryNational Science
Digital Library (NSDL) uses FedoraIt
supports the DC metadata formatIt
can run on MySQL and Oracle

Chapter 10 39
Dspace
 Jointly developed by MIT Libraries
and Hewlett-Packard LabsStores,
indexes, preserves, and distributes
digital research material.Various
applications: Institutional
Repositories, Learning Object
Repositories (LORs), eTheses ,
Electronic Records Management
(ERM), Digital Preservation,
Publishing
Chapter 10 40
EPrints
 Was developed at the University of
Southampton, released in late
2000The objective was to facilitate
open access to peer-reviewed
research and scholarly literature
 EPrints serve as an archive for other
electronic documents such as
images and audio. Currently
installed in more than 241
institutions.
Chapter 10 41