READIT - 2009 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

Proceedings of READIT-2009, Kalpakkam - 603 102, 29-30 Dec 2009
Building Of Digital Libraries for the Future: A Study
M. Aruldhanakar, R. Pandian and G. Krishnamoorthy
University Library, Anna University Chennai-600 025
ABSTRACT
Information resources are being made available in a variety of digital formats. Attempts are being made
world wide to build Digital Library to access the collection across the globe. Traditional Libraries are limited
storage space; digital libraries have the potential to store more information, simply because digital information
requires very little physical space to contain it. The exponential growth of information could only be managed
by a digitalized environment. This paper discusses the uses, search methodologies, technologies, creations,
innovations, requirements, budget and implementation of digital libraries for the future.
Key words: Digital Library, Innovations, Metadata
1. INTRODUCTION
Libraries are undergoing tremendous changes due to digital revolution. Information
resources such as books, reports, articles, theses, etc. are being made available in digital
formats in recent year. The digital library systems which are computerized information
storage-retrieval systems connected to computer networks are some of the most widely used
applications. Presently, through their use, researchers in laboratories and students at
universities are able to access the information in digital libraries. Once created, the digital
library system has maximum flexibility, durability, adaptability and compatibility. At the
same time the investment is low cost and minimum space and also easy maintenance.
2. DIGITAL LIBRARY
Digital Library is a collection of digital objects, including text, images video and
audio. Digital Library allows to catalogue, organize, browse, search and maintain the
collection. Digital Library is a library in which a significant amount of the resources are
available in machine readable format. The digital contents may make a LAN and WAN
through computers.
3. DEVELOPING DIGITAL COLLECTION
The build-up strategy whether digital or otherwise is the same. It is driven by the user
demand availability and the material availability and the material value. In general, there are
3 different ways through which digital collections are acquired.
3.1 Digitizing own collection
The basic requirement for digitizing the Library’s own collection is a scanner and the
associated software like OCR. Libraries are to establish a content creation section that has to
cater to digitizing both text and multimedia information. Multimedia section can contain both
visual and sound information. Digitized information must be clearly identified, properly
indexed and well organized for it’s archival and dissemination. For the multimedia part more
than one database systems may be required for proper storage, cataloging and retrieval.
3.2 Acquiring or licensing from third parties
Digital resources could be in the form of databases and even full text. They could be
purchased from the vendors or publishers. These resources may be offered to library in one of
the following models
a. Individual / Library Subscription
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