© Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 1

Services in digital libraries

Following functions?Following new capabilities?

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Traditionally, major library functions

• COLLECTION– selection & acquisition of

information resources• following criteria & policies

• ORGANIZATION– intellectual representation – processing– physical arrangements

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major functions ...

• HOUSING COLLECTIONS• ACCESS PROVISION

– locating, obtaining items in the collection• intellectually, physically

• PRESERVATION• PROFESSIONAL FUNCTIONS

– e.g. subject bibliographies– major in some library models

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Traditionally, major services

• Mostly followed functions– access to library objects

• circulation, document delivery• interlibrary loan, • reading facilities• reserve

– provision of information• reference• searching

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major services ...

– dissemination• e.g. SDI

– user specific services• children, adults, training ...

– subject specific services• pathways, bibliographies ...

– general• lecture series, events ...

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Issues in translation into digital libraries

• What library services can be adopted into a digital environment? – what main characteristics dictate

services?– how to do that effectively &

efficiently?

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Issues in using new capabilities

• What do digital environments offer that is unique?– how to translate that into new

services?– how to do that effectively &

efficiently?

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New characteristics of digital collections

• COLLECTION: Digital objects– digitized or borne digital– texts & other media connected– direct searching possibilities

• ORGANIZATION– multiple organizations &

representations possible– relationships, linking possible

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characteristics ...

• HOUSING– distributed, location could be

anywhere

• ACCESS– local & distributed access

through network(s)

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DL services

• So far mostly extension from traditional services– horseless carriage model– constrained by requirements to build

digital libraries first

• New services & new modes of old services just emerging

• Next: examples

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access to library objects

• direct access in library– own or library computers

• remote access– part open to all - most dl now

publicly accessible– part restricted to own community

or subscription

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provision of information• provision of search tools• search of reference sources• search of databases• assembly of reference links

– e.g. Martindale

• reference– online question answering– collaborative reference

• e.g. QuestionPoint by LoC

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dissemination

• document delivery– library sources– outside sources e.g. Uncover

• electronic reserve– delivered to library– library assembled

• interlibrary loan• cooperatives

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user specific services

• assembly of pages specific to user groups – children, teens ...

• weblinks - local, national ...– links for specific purposes

• e.g. taxes, jobs, genealogy ...

– exploring the Internet sites

• Internet connection

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subject specific services

• made or assembled in a variety of subjects & media– e.g. American Memory, Perseus

• area coverage– government documents (Mich), library

acquisition (Berkeley), legislative (LoC) ...

• local, regional history sources

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subject ...

• subject guides, research & reference gateways– extension of pathways– probably a most, innovative tool

• comprehensive subject coverage– NLM health information

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general

• training, tutorials– on & off line– instructional materials

• library information– policies, instruction, pointers …

• online exhibits• dl & other software tools

– for ftp (Berkeley, ibiblio)

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New DL services: Who?

• Will they be developed by– librarians?– computer scientists?– commercial outfits?– user groups?

• All are now in the play• Need cooperation among various

groups

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Commercial library services

• Given subjects, areas– Bartleby - verse– Alibris - booksellers, collectors– AcademicInfo - education– Web Developers Virtual Library

• Reference– Ask Jeeves & many others

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Conclusions

• DL services provide for– great challenges, but also – great opportunities to innovate

• Exploit characteristics of digital world for services– but link to user needs and

characteristics

• Economics play a critical role– $$$$$$ vs. possible services

© Tefko Saracevic, Rutgers University 21