LSC 555 Information Systems Webliography: Digital Libraries
by
Amy Palmer
| Digital Library Initiatives|Digital Library Journals|Digital Library Web Sites
- Digital Library Initiatives
- Digital Libraries Initiative Phase 1
by The National Science Foundation
This web site describes the first phase of the Digital Libraries Initiative, a collaborative effort sponsored by the National Science Foundation in which
several affiliated universities and research organizations received funding to develop digital library collections.
The site provides a comprehensive look at the early efforts of these institutions to collect, store, and disseminate information
in a digital library format. In keeping with the global nature of digital libraries, this web site is available in multiple languages.
- Digital Libraries Initiative Phase 2
by The National Science Foundation
This web site covers the second phase of the National Science Foundation's Digital Libraries Initiative, in which several affiliated government
agencies, research organizations, and academic institutions received funding to create digital library collections. Although the amount of information on the site may be overwhelming
to the casual user, the site provides a detailed overview of the project's two phases, its goals, and achievements. This site is a valuable resource to anyone interested in the evolution of
digital libraries.
- Digital Library Initiatives Across Europe
by David Raitt, Computers in Libraries
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the various digital library initiatives being pursued in Europe.
The article includes a list of projects sponsored by the European Union, as well as the the various national digital library
initiatives sponsored by individual European countries. Links to the digital library web sites covered in this article are not
provided, leaving the user to perform separate searches on his/her own. However, the article provides a useful starting point
for researching international digital library initiatives.
- Digital Library Initiatives in Australia
by Renato Ianella, D-Lib Magazine
The article provides a detailed analysis of the various digital library initiatives being pursued in Australia.
The article includes a list of projects sponsored by the Australian government, as well as descriptions of academic and private initiatives
to create digital libraries. Links to each of the web sites covered in the article are included, and are easily accessible to the user. The article is a useful
resource for researching digital library initiatives being undertaken outside of the United States.
- Digital Library Initiatives at Boston College
by Boston College
The web site describes Boston College's progress in creating a digital library. Though the web site includes digital images
and archival finding aids from some of its special collections, the digital library has been created
primarily to organize, store, and disseminate information created through scholarship at the college. The web site is targeted primarily to
the Boston College community, although it could also serve as a valuable resource for other medium-sized
academic institutions contemplating a digital library initiative.
- Digital Library Journals
- Ariadne Magazine
by the University of Bath
Produced in the United Kingdom, but targeted to a global audience, the magazine covers all aspects
of digital libraries. Though the journal describes its target audience as librarians, scholars, and "interested lay people,"
the information content is dense and scientific. The magazine would be most useful to information professionals and
scholars involved with digital library projects.
- Computers in Libraries
by Information Today, Inc.
This magazine covers a range of issues relating to science and technology in libraries.
The user-friendly interface allows users to search the web site by issue or key word to access articles covering digital libraries.
This is a valuable resource for information professionals engaged with the technological aspects of digital library management.
- D-Lib Magazine
by the Corporation for National Research Initiatives
This is an on-line publication which covers the research and development of digital libraries. To facillitate the
timely exchange of information among digital library professionals, full content of the magazine is avaiable on-line, free of charge. The articles include information
relating to the technology, application, and social role of digital libraries.
- JoDI: Journal of Digital Information
by the British Computer Society and Oxford University Press
This is a peer-reviewed, electronic journal which covers digital libraries, their practical applications, and their
role in society. Produced in the United Kingdom, the journal is oriented toward an international audience. Although a
busy interface and small text font make the content somewhat difficult to read, the journal contains a wealth of high quality information
for digital library professionals.
- Russian Digital Libraries Journal
by the Institute of the Information Society of Russia
Available in both English and Russian, this is the first electronic journal produced in Russia which covers the
development of digital libraries. The web site captures the global accessibility of digital libraries, and the international
nature of their users and creators. The English language web site provides several useful links to digital library resources in the
United Kingdom, the United States, and around the world.
- Digital Library Web Sites
- American Memory
by the Library of Congress
The web site provides access to an enormous collection of digital images, documents, and resources related American history. Created and maintained by the Library of Congress,
the web site supplements its own collection with links to a number of external sources. Though the casual user may be overwhelmed by the quantity of information,
the quality of the content is extremely high. The web site is targeted to a broad audience, and is accessible to a range of users.
- California Digital Library
by the University of California
This is a massive digital library which serves the University of California community and the general public. The web site also includes
the recently launched On-line Archive of California, which contains a large amount of information in the form of text, images, and finding aids.
This web site is a particularly valuable resource for users seeking historical images of California.
- International Children's Digital Library
by the University of Maryland and the Internet Archive
This website represents the joint endeavor between an academic institution and the Internet Archive to make a large collection of children's literature avaiable on-line, in a range of languages.
Although the interface is designed to appeal to children, the content and usability of the web site is cumbersome. Accessing and searching for material is particularly disjointed. In its current state, the web site appears to be best
suited towards children's librarians and pre-school and elementary-level teachers.
- National Science Digital Library
by the National Science Foundation
This is a digital library which supports the organization, storage, and dissemination of information
relating to science, technology, mathematics, and engineering. The web site functions primarily as a launch pad to dozens of external, science-oriented digital library web sites.
The links are well organized, and easily accessible to a broad range of users.
- Perseus Digital Library
by Tufts University
This is a digital library created by Tufts University in affiliation with the National Science Foundation's
Digital Libraries Initiative Phase 2. The site contains a wealth of information ranging from ancient history to nineteenth century American literature. It also provides links to several outside collections, such as the Library of Congress
American Memory web site. An excellent example of an academic digital library, the web site is geared toward students and members of the academic community. The web site would also be a valuable resource to academic and library professionals considering developing a digital library collection.
© Amy Palmer 2004