CLSC555 INFORMATION SYSTEMS WEBLIOGRAPHY: Digital Libraries
by
Isabella Marqués De Castilla

 

| Examples of Digital Libraries | Magazines and Journals | Other Resources |

---

 

• Examples of Digital Libraries
  • The Library of Congress
    by The Library of Congress
    The Web site of the Library of Congress provides links to a cornucopia of information, resources, and services. It gives information about the library's history, holdings, events open to the public, information about research and reading rooms, etc. Yet some may be overwhelmed by the vast amount of information.
  • The Perseus Digital Library
    by Gregory Crane, Editor-in-Chief, Tufts University
    This virtual library offers a wide variety of materials for the humanities researcher. It has links that lead to various periods in history. It would not be beneficial for Someone who is not interested in the subject.
  • New York Public Library Digital Collections
    by New York Public Library
    The NYPL web site is a good example of digitization work in progress. It is valuable for its pictures of early life in New York and the surrounding area as well as for its extensive digitized exhibitions. Strengths: Very easy to maneuver within the confines of the main page. Weakness: Apparent complete lack of any digital printed material.
  • Internet Library of Early Journals
    A joint project by the Universities of Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Oxford
    This web site was created as a test bed for the digitization of early--18th and 19th century--English journals to allow university students access to material which would otherwise be difficult to acquire without spending hours in the college's library. Strengths: The material alone is the strength of the site, probably the only place on the internet where one can find it. Weakness: Because the project had a limited scope, and was a trial program, the fact that they did not continue with other journals was disappointing.
  • The Gutenberg Project
    by Project Gutenberg
    This virtual library is one of the original sites to offer digital content to readers. Strengths: A trusted veteran website which is simple to navigate and devoid of annoying web content. Weakness: The material, while extensive, appears to be limited to published novels and literature. Furthermore, errors in the material are not uncommon.
  
  
• Magazines and Journals on the Subject of Digital Libraries
  • D-Lib Magazine
    by The Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI)
    This magazine provides information for the digital library and librarian. Strength: access to new technologies and development tools. Weakness: Narrowly focused, definitely for the specialist only.
  • Digital Library Federation Homepage
    by The Digital Library Federation (DLF)
    The Digital Library Federation provides information about developing and managing digital collections. Strength: ease of use and limited content keep user focused. Weakness: sources appear to be limited to federation members' writings.
  • Library Journal
    by Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.
    A full featured webpage dedicated to Library Science on a broad scale, including digital libraries. Strength: Full range of resources at the users fingertips. Weakness: Requires registration which can be a turn-off to all but the truly dedicated.
  • International Journal of Digital Libraries
    by Springer-Verlag Heidelberg.
    A serious journal with an international perspective dedicated to the technology of digital libraries. Strength: Basic layout allows users direct access without flashy web content. Weakness: Perhaps because of the seriousness of the journal, its content is limited.
  • RLG DigiNews
    by RLG
    A bi-monthly newsletter dedicated to collection digitization and supported by over 150 libraries and research institutions. Strength: Straightforward design with links to issues dating to 1997. Weakness: Reader must be technically literate to grasp the details of this one.
  
  
• Other Resources for Digital Libraries
  • International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
    by International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
    Website offering an enormous amount of bibliographic links to digital library information worldwide. Strengths: The available links all in one location and easy to navigate. Weakness: Witnessed many links not up to date
  • Digital Libraries 94
    by Texas A&M University, Hypermedia Research Laboratory, Advanced Technology Group of the Washington University School of Medicine Library, and Southwestern Bell Technology Resources, Inc.
    Great source of information regarding the early years of digital libraries and the processes involved. Strengths: Many seminal works on the subject. Weakness: Some links have expired.
  • Association of Research Librarians
    by ARL, Washington, DC
    A valued source of the latest in library information to include digital libraries. Strengths: The most current papers and articles. Weakness: Another site that is only for the truly dedicated.
  • Center for the Study of Digital Libraries
    by Texas A&M University
    A basic website giving the user some background on digital libraries and projects associated with Texas A&M. Strengths: The publication section is of note. Weakness: The site is of limited use and cumbersome.
  • Preservation of Electronic Information; a bibliography
    by Michael Day, Office for Library and Information Networking, University of Bath, UK.
    Very full bibliography covering the subject of electronic information with many links regarding digital libraries. Strengths: Very straightforward in his approach, all links can be reached from one scrolling page. Many links out of date, and much of the bibliography refers the user to is only available in print form.