Digital Libraries: Principles and Practice in a Global Environment

This book introduces readers to the principles underlying digital libraries, illustrating these principles by reference to a wide range of digital library practices throughout the world. Individual chapters deal with issues such as: digital library users and the services that are offered to them, the standards and protocols with which digital libraries must operate in order to cooperate with other institutions, and issues such as the administration of digital libraries, including discussion of intellectual property rights and preservation issues. A final chapter comprises eight case studies drawn from all over the world, used to illustrate points made in earlier chapters. Throughout the book, the challenges of developing and implementing digital library systems in multilingual and multicultural environments are explored.

"The main value of the book lies in its extensive coverage of the very complex and broad domain of digital libraries. [...] Reader-friendly text, multiple useful links, examples and illustrations indicate that authors reached their objective. The book is recommended for students and library practitioners aiming to acquire a good introduction into the field of digital libraries." (Journal of Documentation, London, Nr. 4, 2005)

..".a useful overview of the global digital library scene that will help both those coming new to this area and those wishing to broaden their appreciation of what is involved in developing a digital library." (Ariadne, Bath, Nr. 43, April 2005)

"The book is well written and presented, [...] this is a highly readable and timely book, and is ideal for students studying this subject in depth. I have already recommended it to my own students." William Foster Co-ordinator for Information and Library Management, University of Central England, Birmingham, UK (Program: electronic libraries and information systems, Bradford, Nr. 1, 2006)