This chapter introduces the basics of the digital library, including needs, benefits, and requirements, and briefly describes the digitization process. The role of library and information science professionals has now become a debatable one due to the advent of digital libraries and the Internet. The cloud computing and virtualization in digital culture is also discussed here. In this regard, the chapter covers cloud computing, including the characteristics, types, and how it works. The application of cloud computing in libraries is described with an example of the cloud in the academic library in Orissa. The advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing in libraries or in organizations are also covered here. The future prospects of the digital library using cloud computing technology is like an innovative application in libraries.
TopDigital Library
The concept of digital library came in around 30 years ago. The digital library has different meanings in digital communities, such as electronic library, virtual library, library without wall, world library, Internet library, paperless library, and so forth. In all of the terms there is a little bit of difference, but here the concept of digital library will be pointed out. Digital library means a computerized network system where all the information are stored in electronic format, which can be accessed and transmitted through networks enabling retrieval of required information by a large number of users. Users can access their desired information using computer terminals at their work place.
Definition
In the information environment, a lot of authors give different views about the digital library. It is not possible to discuss all of them, but here are a few definitions which are very simple for understanding the digital library.
In Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science (ODLIS), “digital library” has been defined as “A library in which a significant proportion of the resources are available in machine-Readable format, as opposed to print or microform.”
Edward Fox has defined the digital library as “the new way of carrying out the functions of libraries encompassing new types of information resources, new approach to acquisition, new methods of storage and preservation, new approaches to classification and cataloguing, intensive use of electronic systems and networks and dramatic shifts in intellectual, organizational, and electronic process.”