Introduction to Digital Libraries

Citation

Fourie, I. (2003), "Introduction to Digital Libraries", Online Information Review, Vol. 27 No. 6, pp. 454-454. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520310510136

The authors of Introduction to Digital Libraries have extensive experience both in teaching courses on digital libraries and in actively researching them. They succeed in offering a well‐researched, holistic view of the rapidly developing digital library scene. It is done in a clear, easy‐to‐follow style of writing, which makes Introduction to Digital Libraries a very welcome addition to the already extensive literature on digital libraries, as well as an excellent textbook.

Introduction to Digital Libraries is divided into a preface, 15 chapters, a list of references and an index. Chapter 1 starts off with a definition of digital libraries and their characteristics. It is followed by chapters 2 and 3, which deal respectively with the features of selected digital libraries and research on digital libraries. Research in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Joint NSF/JISC international digital library projects and the digital library projects funded by the European Union are all considered. The purpose of chapter 2's discussion of selected digital libraries is to give an overall understanding of existing digital libraries and current practices.

Chapter 4 deals with design issues for digital as well as hybrid models. Chapters follow it on collection management, digitization, information organization, information access and user interfaces and information retrieval in digital libraries. Chapters 10‐13 deal respectively with digital archiving and preservation, digital library services, the social, economic and legal issues and digital library evaluation. The final two chapters deal with digital libraries and the information profession, and trends in digital library research and development.

Each chapter consists of a brief chapter outline, introduction, and summary, which add to its value as textbook. Appropriate exercises and case studies might, however, have been a further useful addition. Introduction to Digital Libraries includes a very extensive and invaluable 41‐page list of references. This is essential for both researchers and serious studenta. The book concludes with an 11‐page index of reasonable standard. The book is well bound and easy to handle.

Introduction to Digital Libraries is highly recommended as a core textbook for students of digital librarianship and related courses, as well as for essential reading for practitioners and researchers in the field of digital libraries. I am certainly grateful that I can add it to my bookshelves.