Digital Libraries in Knowledge Based Society : Prospects and Issues

Abstract

Our information and knowledge environment has been and continues to be changed by the development of the Internet and ubiquitous communication technologies. Information and knowledge are replacing capital and energy as the primary wealth-creating assets, just as the latter two replaced land and labor many years ago. In addition, technological developments in the 20th century have transformed the majority of wealth-creating work from physically-based to “knowledge-based.” Technology and knowledge are now the key factors in development of economy of the country. With increased mobility of information and the global work force, knowledge and expertise can be transported instantaneously around the world. We are now an information society in a knowledge economy where knowledge management is essential. The paper presents an overview of the role of digital libraries in the knowledge economy, its prospects and issues.