Digital Libraries on the Internet

Abstract

The Internet and web are growing and accelerating the problem of information explosion globally. Internet based resources and services are very valuable particularly for developing countries including India since the printed sources of information are not easily available in time from developed countries. Internet services are being used effectively for library applications for retrieving information from remote data bases and have been the basis of advent of the digital library. India, having more than 180 Universities and 6000 colleges mainly depends on resources available in their own libraries but such isolated libraries can be made to digital library resource for providing better and quick services. The digital libraries are superior over classical libraries in many respects and rank to levels like Stand-alone Digital Library (SDL), Federated Digital Library (FDL) and Harvested Digital Library (HDL). A HDL can be charged by the expert to enhance its content. The digital libraries can be converted into Search Engines also but need a huge organizational effort, and shall become more useful for a one time shot for quickly needed information. Several digital libraries and their web sites are available on Internet related to standard libraries and different subjects for the users. A number of national digital library networks in India are in operation/implementation stage and institution are being encouraged for their transformation into digital libraries and become part of the digital network for speedy exchange of information. Development of digital libraries and their exploration through LAN, WAN and Internet is likely to benefit millions of users surfing the net in quest of information. * System Manager, C.S.J.M. University, Kanpur