Digital libraries: barriers or gateways to scholarly information?
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470310499777 |
| Date | 01 October 2003 |
| Published date | 01 October 2003 |
| Pages | 414-421 |
| Author | Alex Byrne |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Digital libraries:
barriers or gateways to
scholarly information?
Alex Byrne
Introduction
A new digital paradigm for the library has
been developed (Berring, 1993) through the
creation of bibliographic, factual and fulltext
databases, the application of powerful inquiry
technologies, and their linkage through
complex communications networks. The
model is referred to as the ``digital library'',
``virtual library'' or even ``cybrary'' (the
University of Queensland Library uses the
term ``cybrary'' to describe its integration of
cyberspace and physical space). In its
narrowest sense the digital or virtual library
can be considered to be merely an ``online
repository of electronic texts'' (Ince, 2001) or
``electronic stock of information which can be
accessed via databases'' (Dictionary of Library
and Information Management, 1997). Both of
these definitions focus on storage and access
to content but miss the other dimensions of a
library. ``A system providing the services of a
library in digital form'' (Johnston et al., 2000)
offers an alternative definition which better
describes a library operating electronically.
The hybrid library encompasses print and
electronic formats brought together in an
integrated information service, accessed via a
combination of local and remote electronic
gateways (HyLiFe Programme, 2001). It
includes print information sources alongside
the electronic, offering organised access to
both. Explored by means of a number of
projects sponsored through the eLib program
in the UK, the hybrid library has been viewed
as a transitionary stage in a progression from
physical to wholly digital libraries: a stage
which is likely to last for a considerable period
because of the cost of conversion from print
(Brophy, 2001).
The digital library
At the University Library of the University of
Technology, Sydney, the digital library
includes the following elements:
The author
Alex Byrne is University Librarian, University of
Technology, Sydney, Australia.
Keywords
Digital libraries, Information retrieval, Communication,
Information, Languages, Internet
Abstract
Unprecedented desktop access to scholarly information
has been made possible by the introduction of digital
libraries. The powerful combination of digital publications,
specialist and generalist databases, sophisticated search
systems and portals enables scholars and students to
rapidly examine a great variety of the literature in their
own disciplines and those new to them. Access is
available globally 24 hours a day without geographical
limitation. But that access is not without limitations. It is
limited by the availability of reliable and affordable
information and communication technologies. It is limited
to those scholars and students who are affiliated with
organisations which have the money and skills to provide
access. It is limited to those who are literate, information-
literate and have a command of the major languages of
commerce and scholarship (English in particular). In
addition, contractual and other bounds imposed by
vendors exclude many potential users. In combination,
these limitations inhibit many scholars and students from
using digital scholarly information and can increase the
marginalisation of the already marginalised including,
especially, indigenous peoples. This contradiction
between access for some and marginalisation for many
poses many challenges for libraries.
Electronic access
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
This paper has been adapted from a presentation at
the 24th Conference of the International
Association of Technological University Libraries
(IATUL), ``Libraries and Education in the
Networked Information Environment'', Middle
East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey,
2-5 June 2003.
414
The Electronic Library
Volume 21 .Number 5 .2003 .pp. 414-421
#MCB UP Limited .ISSN 0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640470310499777
To continue reading
Request your trial