Basic Facts of Digital Library

Description

The unique function of libraries is to acquire, organise, offer for use and preserve publicly available material irrespective of the form in which it is packaged in such a way that, when it is needed, it can be found and put to use. No other institution carries out this long-term systematic work. A digital library is a special library with a focused collection of digital objects that can include text, visual material, audio material or video material stored as electronic media. It must also offer the means to access these files whilst storing them in an organised and efficient manner.

Digital libraries can vary immensely in size and scope. They can be maintained by individuals, organisations or affiliated with established physical libraries or with academic institutions. The electronic content may be stored locally or accessed remotely via computer networks. One of the biggest advantages of digital media is that its contents are easily reproducible. In that regard, sharing of information between libraries of this nature also becomes much easier.

With the rise in e-readers and the younger generation turning more to screens to access reading material whether it be the daily news, articles for research, books or even general trivia; it would benefit all libraries to harness the power of the internet. Many institutions have even begun offering online subscriptions for their publications which also add a stable revenue stream for their operations.