Digital library collections: repositories

Abstract

This chapter and the next discuss digital libraries and the web through the lens of collections and collection building. This chapter begins with an exploration of the parallel but separate developments of the web, digital library repositories, and hybrid libraries. It then turns to an examination of digital library repositories. Topics include numbers, usage, and discoverability of repositories; current position and roles; systems and software; federation and dissemination of repository content; next generation repository systems; and cyberinfrastructure, data and e-research support. The next chapter moves on to the examination of hybrid libraries, then concludes with thoughts about advances, opportunities and challenges for both hybrid libraries and repositories.