The NSDL: What is a digital library anyway?!
I was looking at the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) and I couldn't help but go back to the beginning and wonder...What is a digital library anyway? After looking at this site I starting thinking that defining a DL has alot to do with context. While my initial impression of the NSDL was that it is not a digital library. After pondering the idea I decided that my initial definition of the term "DL," with its connection to the creation of content didn't necessarily hold true.
I was connecting the two (content and its creation) when really there seems to be no need to do so. Each resource that is available on the site was not created by the folks at the NSDL (as far as I could tell). It was merely a fancy directory. Similar to the Librarians' Internet Index (LII) but with a different set of criteria for inclusion. Wait...is this a DL or a "meta-DL?"
So this leads me to see the problem of defining "DL" as one of granularity. At what level should these web sites be analyzed? Context is the answer, its almost how the creators of these resources market themselves that makes a DL a DL...and hey, if you want to sell your website as a DL when you really are directory of DLs that is fine. It does lead to confusion but oh well. Am I being fatalistic?
1 Comments:
I like your term, "meta-DL" and tend to agree with the question you're asking. To me, DL means content, accessibility, a policy or philosophy which guides selection of materials.
If I may share, my Digital Libraries class researched, designed, and implemented a DL for a small local cultural museum this past spring. If you're interested, check out the Firebrary.
We chose to have outgoing links as our clients could benefit from the educational aspect, but it was not the focus. Inour case the focus was on bringing the items of the library to the cybercommunity (and hopefully bring folks into the physical museum). - jenn graham
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home