A Framework for Digital Library Research

Abstract

Digital library (DL) research and development needs a framework that can be used as a perspective on existing research and practice and, more importantly, as a structured vision for the development of new ideas. As distinct from the DELOS brainstorming report [1], which offers its own agenda for the next phase of DL research (and a somewhat ad-hoc roster for EU-NSF working groups), the framework offered here is based on a very broad view of digital libraries that takes full advantage of the possibilities offered by the integration of computer and telecommunication technology. When engine-driven vehicles were first introduced, they were built in the shape of a horse-drawn carriage and indeed were called "horseless carriages"; it took some time to take full advantage of the new technology and engineer the modern automobile. Much of DL practice is still at the stage of the "horseless carriage"; we must move on to the modern automobile. No claim is made that all or even most of the ideas in this commentary are new; there are many forward-looking leaders in the DL community; indeed, many of the ideas come from or were inspired by project presentations at the EU-NSF DL all projects meeting in March 2002 in Rome [2]. It is hoped that bringing these ideas together in a systematic framework will lead to changes in how DLs are viewed and implemented. The framework consists of three overarching guiding principles and eleven specific themes and areas of research and development.