A landmark textbook on digital libraries for LIS students, educators and practising information professionals throughout the world.

Exploring Digital Libraries

is a highly readable, thought-provoking authorative and in-depth treatment of the digital library arena that provides an up-to-date overview of the progress, nature and future impact of digital libraries, from their collections and technology-centred foundations over two decades ago to their emergent, community-centred engagement with the social web.

This essential textbook:

Brings students and working librarians up to date on the progress, nature and impact of digital libraries, bridging the gap since the publication of the best-known digital library texts

Frames digital library research and practice in the context of the social web and makes the case for moving beyond collections to a new emphasis on libraries' value to their communities

Introduces several new frameworks and novel syntheses that elucidate digital library themes, suggest strategic directions, and break new ground in the digital library literature.

Calls a good deal of attention to digital library research, but is written from the perspective of strategy and in-depth experience

Provides a global perspective and integrates material from many sources in one place - the chapters on open repositories and hybrid libraries draw together past, present and prospective work in a way that is unique in the literature.

Readership

: Exploring Digital Libraries suits the needs of a range of readers, from working librarians and library leaders to LIS students and educators, or anyone who wants a highly readable and thought-provoking overview of the field and its importance to the future of libraries.

About the Author

Karen Calhoun B.A., M.S., M.B.A. is an internationally respected librarian and change leader who is currently at the University of Pittsburgh helping to develop community-centred services. She is an active researcher, writer, speaker and consultant on digital libraries and related disciplines and has just completed a celebrated tenure at OCLC.

Reviews

[Karen Calhoun] has done an amazing job of capturing the digital library world from the 90's to today. She does this not as some sort of annotated bibliography, but as a conceptual evolution. You can see the development of digital libraries from collections of stuff, to communities of interest. She also merges the disparate worlds of computer science and library science together in a masterful way. She uses the history to create a robust platform for understanding digital libraries today...in essence making the field feel relevant and refreshed. If you have a chance I strongly recommend the book.

-- R. David Lankes

Exploring Digital Libraries fills a gaping hole in library science literature and textbooks. Supported by her own extensive professional experience, Calhoun traces the history and impact of digital libraries from the 1990s through today. Not only does she give a comprehensive history of digital libraries, but she also queries how the digital library might evolve in the future, as our knowledge and experience with the web and web-based projects deepen. From the "cloud" to "community," and from the "mass digitization" to the "digital divide," Calhoun has meticulously covered everything the reader needs to know in this clear, easy to follow textbook. Exploring Digital Libraries also transcends the traditional textbook, and will be incredibly useful to practicing librarians. Calhoun has meticulously gathered data on digital libraries and their respective projects, giving valuable insight into what worked, what did not work, and why. This is a book by a librarian for other librarians, and that really is what makes this book stand out. This is a must-have reference for the library, and it will be especially helpful to those librarians looking to understand where the digital library has been, where it stands now, where it may be going, and how we, as librarians, can most effectively employ digital libraries for our communities.

-- VOYA

The students studying Digital Libraries and Information Services Master's programme at our University are the first to whom I am recommending this book. I would suggest it also to other library and information science programmes as a course book - it addresses most of the topics related to digital libraries as collections and services. Practising librarians and information specialists should read it looking for examples of best practice and useful ideas for strategic planning and everyday work, but also for making sense of what is happening in the digital library world.

-- Information Research

This book should be in all libraries serving LIS programmes, but is also a recommended read for all information managers involved with the development of digital libraries.

-- The Electronic Library

This well researched, easy to read text is a must have for those interested not only in digital libraries but in the future of libraries in general, as well as those seeking new ways to engage with their community and promote the value of libraries in challenging times.

-- Australian Academic & Research Libraries

It is a strong foundational text in the area, and provides enough theory and practice of digital libraries to be a useful postgrad textbook.

-- Diane Rasmussen Pennington * The University of Strathclyde *



Book Information
ISBN 9781856048200
Author Karen Calhoun
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Facet Publishing
Publisher Facet Publishing