Digital Libraries: Integrating Content and Systems

Citation

Matthews, M.F. (2007), "Digital Libraries: Integrating Content and Systems", Online Information Review, Vol. 31 No. 1, pp. 92-92. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520710731065

This superior book which expertly explains the making of digital libraries consists of ten chapters: Introduction; Enabling Technologies; The Role of Standards in Digital Library Integration; Authentication, Identity Management and Security; Interfacing with Integrated Library Systems; Electronic Resource Management; Digital Asset Management; Integration with Content Providers; Library Portals and Conclusion: Digital Libraries and the Library Organisation. There is also a helpful glossary of acronyms used in the book, a bibliography and an index. The table of contents is very detailed, including not only chapter titles but also section headings and summaries of content.

The authors compare various components of digital systems and suggest the most appropriate components for successfully and efficiently managing a digital library system. The authors also indicate why some digital resources are more effective than others.

Following the introduction, Chapters 2 and 3 provide, by way of background, information on Web‐based services and the requirement for robust standards for digital library systems. Chapters 5‐7 deal primarily with management issues related to digital systems: issues of security, the content of integrated library systems, electronic resources management and the importance of digital asset management.

Chapter 8 cover issues related to adding information to digital systems, including by subscription and by purchase. In this chapter the authors also offer criteria for selecting digital library system devices. Finally, Chapters 9 and 10 look at library portals and speculate on the future of digital libraries: individual purchase of digital libraries, digital libraries on iPods, etc.

Clearly in 203 pages the authors cannot cover the topic of their nbook in great detail, and the work should be seen as a basic introduction to specific aspects of digital libraries rather than a comprehensive monograph on the topic. Nevertheless, Digital Libraries: Integrating Content and Systems is recommended as a useful introduction to the workings of digital libraries.