7 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

Create is the process that includes statistics, mathematical calculations, filing tasks and all
traditional activities such as automated teller machine and also converting the raw data
into information.
Similar to the provision of information in the Traditional Library environment, access is
the new way of providing rights to access the digital resources in the Digital Library.
Digital library has the potential coverage of working in different network platforms and
gain access to information using devices like telephone, internet etc.
3.2 Collection Development of Digital Information Resources
Selection of digital information resources is a responsible task of library professionals.
The process of selection has to be made carefully keeping in view of the characteristics
and goals of the institution and also its user community, their nature and information
requirements. New digital library services are on their way to create a union catalogue of
specific type of digital information resources. The information professionals usually scan
the web using standard search engines for selecting relevant digital information sources
like e-books or e-journals and E-Reference books
Important guidelines have been suggested by eminent scholars for the selection of library
materials in the Traditional Library environment. They are
‣ The authority of creations(Author, Publishers, etc.)
‣ Scope (the breadth and depth of coverage)
‣ Treatment and level (Suitability for the intended audience)
‣ Arrangement (Organisation of Content)
‣ Format (Accessibility , searchability, readability, portability, durability etc)
‣ Special features (What shows their individuality)
The following major factors are considered to be more useful for the selecting digital
information sources.
1. Hardware , software and network requirements
2. The content of digital networks
3. The version of the product
4. The number of concurrent users allowed
5. Access control through password, proxy server, authentification etc.
6. Price, licensing and copy right agreement
7. Database features, the retrieval engine and user interfaces
8. Ease of use and user training
9. Archiving and preservation of the digital information sources
For proper collection development, it is essential to know whether a particular information
product has to be used only with the interface that comes with that product. Many digital
libraries provide users with only one interface to search a wide range of products. The
equipments used for digitization and the design architecture of a digital library influence
the selection of digital information resources. The internet archival collection has
tremendous impact on the selection of digital information resources through websites.
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