Week 2

Readings

A Framework for Building Open Digital Libraries

There is no set standard for building a digital library. Different needs lead to very different systems. This is a creative period we have seen with other technologies. The internet is a good example, where the browser wars were a period of competitive development. It wasn’t until a common standard was developed that we began to see the true potential of the internet. I believe that digital libraries will see a similar pattern, and only once a common method is agreed upon will we see what they are truly capable of.

An Architecture for Information in Digital Libraries

An important point raised is that all items should be tagged as individual objects. An article with a picture should be two tagged items: the text and the picture. This way either item can be accessed independently as well as together.

Interoperability for Digital Objects and Repositories

Interoperability is the next step for digital libraries. This study has found that digital libraries have to be only mostly similar to be acceptably interoperable. By following similar standards, using the same open-source software etc, it is possible to create systems that users can operate, moving back and forth, without undue trouble.

Muddiest Point:

In our brief discussion of the group project, we were told that we will be creating a digital library to solve a problem. What do you mean by problem?