Libraries: Principles and Practices for the Digital Age

An online database consisting of digital objects equipped with tools for searching, storing, retrieving and organizing the digital content that is contained in the collection is called a digital library. The collection can include still images, text, audio, video, digital documents or any other form of digital media. Depending upon the retrieval systems, files in a digital library can be stored locally or remotely. Digital libraries can be broadly classified into institutional repositories, national library collections and digital archives. Some of its key features are absence of physical boundary, multiple access, round the clock availability, easy accessibility, preservation and conservation. This textbook covers in detail the foundations, practice and prospects of digital libraries. While understanding the long-term perspectives of the topics, it makes an effort in highlighting their impact as a modern tool for the growth of the discipline. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.