Week 1: Defining Digital Libraries

In his work, Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas Kuhn states that a science begins with the definition of problems and methods for future generations of scientists.   These definitions are further articulated as those future scientists study them and add precision.  

The DELOS Manifesto takes on the task of setting definitions and setting the foundations for future research.   It proposes models and possible objectives for research, functionality, quality, architecture, and policy.

William Arms talks about how the field of Library and Information Sciences is impacted by improvements in automation.   What will the future of librarians be as advancements in digital libraries replace the traditional roles of library science professionals?

Paepcke suggests that librarians' jobs will become more specialized, helping researchers interact with technology during the production process and by adding value to materials that computer scientists put online. Arms says that librarians can use their skill with abstract ideas and the idiosyncrasies of information mining - skills that web crawlers and automated search engines have not yet mastered.

I wonder what place the automated future will carve out for those trained in library and information sciences.   What role do they have to play in developing these systems that will eventually replace many of the responsibilities that librarians have always held?  Will their skill set become more technological?  As technology and commerce intersect with digital materials, will their focus be more rooted in philosophy of and the advocacy for access?  Or will they become highly specialized computer scientists?

I think librarians have much to offer in the development of digital information systems (and visa versa).  Now, more than ever, it's important for library science to keep in step with technology and as it does so, carve out its own place in a rapidly changing environment.   Maybe in doing so, library science can create  its own manifesto, declaring ways for the field to use its philosophical foundations and collective skill set to improve the way humans interact with information and technology.

1.  Christine L. Borgman, “From Gutenberg to the Global Information Infrastructure: Access to Information in the Networked World”. MIT Press, 2001.
2. Leonardo Candela et. al. (2007) Setting the Foundations of Digital Libraries.  D-Lib Magazine 13(3-4), March/April 2007. 
3. Andreas Paepcke, Hector Garcia-Molina, Rebecca Wesley, “Dewey Meets Turing: Librarians, Computer Scientists, and the Digital Libraries Initiative” D-Lib Magazine, Volume 11 Number 7/8, July/August 2005.
4. Christian Lupovici. (2008) The growth of the role of librarians and information officers in digital libraries. Digital Libraries, Fabrice Papy (eds). ISTE and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

5. William Y. Arms. “Automated Digital Libraries, How Effectively Can Computers Be Used for the Skilled Tasks of Professional Librarianship?” D-Lib Magazine July/August 2000. 6(7/8).