Barriers/Hurdles/Problems of Digital Library

The Cost involved in the creation and maintenance of digital library environment is high
Attitude of library professionals
Intellection property Right (IPR) is not being given due importance
Preservation of electronic information
Pricing in the digital environment is going to be complex
Lack of indigenous, efficient and effective library software
Lack of information policy and information culture

Security issues in digital libraries

Security is an important issue in digital library design. Security weaknesses digital
libraries, coupled with attacks or other types of failures, can lead to
confidential information being inappropriately accessed, or loss of integrity of
the data stored.
There are many security requirements to consider because of the variety of
different actors working with a digital library
A digital library content provider might be concerned with protecting
intellectual property rights and the terms of use of content, while a digital
library user might be concerned with reliable access to content stored in the
digital library.
Requirements based on these needs sometimes are in conflict, which can
make the security architecture of a digital library even more complex.

There are 6 main concepts in a digital library universe: content, user,

functionality, architecture, quality, and policy.
Each of these concepts has security issues that affect it.
Content
The content of a digital library includes the information objects that a digital
library provides to the users.
Some of the security issues involved are integrity and access
control. Integrity requires that each object/resource has not
been altered or changed by an unauthorized person. Access
control encompasses two security requirements.

 The first is authentication where the user must log into the
system while the second is confidentiality, which means that
the content of an object is inaccessible by a person unless
they have authorization.
Not all digital libraries are free; often content is provided to
digital library users for a certain fee, whereupon access
control is needed to protect the content.
Logical attacks such as hacking and message tampering can
affect the integrity and confidentiality of the content.
Digital rights management Digital Rights Management
refers to the protection of content from the different logical
security attacks and issues relating to intellectual property
rights and authenticity.
Some of the technologies used to protecting digital
information or content in digital library from logical attacks.
Encryption: protection by encrypting the content and
associating it with a digital license. The license identifies the
user allowed to view the content, lists the content of the
product, and states the rights the user has to the resource in
a computer.
Passwords: Stored strings must be matched by users desiring access.

Digital fingerprint: Digital fingerprints are a more powerful

technique
involving digital signatures and watermarking. The creator
of the content creates a unique copy of the content marked for each user; the
marks are user-specific hence called fingerprints

Copy detection systems: Search engines also can

help locate such copied objects. Copy detecting browsers

can protect digital content too.

Payment systems: Users must divulge personal

information to pay for content

Can be seen as a certain type of protection technology

as it requires user registration, or credit card

authentication, which also require a trust relationship
between the content provider and the customer.
Installing payment systems can help protect digital
content

Virtual Library
Virtual libraries are organized collections of digital
information. They are constructed collections organized
for a particular community of users, and they are
designed to support the information needs of that
community

The access point as well as the graphic records

are
in
electronic/digital
form
when
these
electronic/digital libraries are connected via various
networks, particularly the INTERNET, this is called
virtual library. A library without walls in which the
collections do not exist on paper, microform, or other
tangible form at a physical location but are
electronically accessible in digital format via
computer networks.

Such libraries exist only on a very limited scale,

but in most traditional print-based libraries, catalog
and periodical indexes are available online, and some
periodicals and reference works may be available in
electronic full-text.
Some libraries and library
systems call themselves Virtual because they offer
online services (example: Colorado Virtual Library).

The term virtual library is simply defined as "an

organized set of links to items on the network..." The
term came about as the result of various efforts to
organize information resources accessed on the World
Wide Web. As the information content on the Web
grew, more and more users were faced with the
following two major problems:

How to find information on the Internet; and

How to be sure that the information accessed

was of good quality (e.g. authoritative source).

To assist Web users in locating good quality

information on the Web, librarians and other interested
individuals, started scanning the Web, evaluating and
selecting information resources and creating lists or
indexes of the evaluated information resources.

Therefore, the goal of virtual libraries is to

--'save the time and effort of the end-users searching

for information on the Web and to provide access to
the information that has been examined for content
and reliability.

Virtual libraries exist in cyberspace only, they

have no buildings or shelves, all information

materials are in digital format and are accessible via
the Internet.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Virtual

Libraries

ADVANTAGES
1. Immediate access to resources.
-virtual libraries are available anytime
-facilitate just-in-time learning
2. Information updated immediately.
-Provide resources at short notice
-Contains up-to-date information
3. No physical boundaries.
People from all over the world can access information
as long as there is an Internet connection
4. Support different learning styles.
-access material in a variety of formats
-range of resources to meet the information needs of
different users
-can be customized for particular schools, grades and
subjects

5. Accessible for the disabled.

-offers an alternative for those who have physical
difficulty accessing resources in a regular library
-through use of audio and video, resources are made
available to the visually and hearing impaired
-integrate voice, video, and text for users involved in
distance education in remote location.

6. Information retrieval.
-provides user-friendly interfaces, giving clickable access
to resources
-use any search term such as word, phrase, title, name,
subject to search entire collection
7. Teaching tool for information literacy.
-enables students to find their way more easily around
the various search choices
-as an instructional tool, students learn the skills of
selecting and using appropriate search engines,
reading URLs and how to use an online database when
needed
-can be taught information ethics ie. plagiarism, reference
sources, copyright issues
8. Storage of information.
-potential to store much more information than traditional
library
-requires very little physical space to contain information
9. Networking capabilities.
-one digital library can provide a link to any other
resources of other digital libraries

Disadvantages
1. Restricted by copyright law.
-works cannot be shared over different periods of time
like a traditional library
-content is public domain or self generated
-if copyright exists, permission should be requested
2. Requires connectivity.

-instability of Internet sites requires regular checks should

be carried out to ensure that web links are still active
-if there is not Internet connection, the VL is inaccessible
-many people do not have Internet access - the Digital
Divide may apply
3. Skilled professionals are required.
-to organize, maintain and help students
-guide students in their selection, evaluation and use of
electronic choices
-need the knowledge of Boolean searching and advanced
searching skills
4. Increased number of resources challenges student
selection.
-purchase of online materials is not tailored for a
particular community of learners
-increased need for instruction in use and evaluation of
resources
-students face difficulty in selecting quality material from
the increased assortment of resources

Library 2.0 models give library users a participatory role

in the services libraries offer and the way they are
used.
Customers, should they desire, will be able to tailor
library services to best meet their own needs. This can
be done electronically, such as through the
personalization of library web pages, or physically

through new service options such as allowing

customers to cal or discussion groups.
Such
collaborative efforts require librarians to develop a
more intensive routine of soliciting customer response
and regularly evaluating and updating services
Library 2.0 facilitates and encourages a culture of
participation, drawing upon the perspectives and
contributions of library staff, technology partners and
the wider community.
Blogs, wikis and social networking's are often held up
as exemplary manifestations of Web 2.0.
A reader of a blog or a wiki is provided with tools to
add a comment or even, in the case of the wiki, to
edit the content. This is what we call the Read/Write
web.
Hybrid library
The hybrid library is a term used to describe libraries
containing a mix of traditional print library resources
and the growing number of electronic resources.
Hybrid libraries are mixes of printed books and
magazines, as well as electronic materials such as
downloadable audio books, electronic journals, ebooks, etc. Hybrid libraries are the new norm in most
public and academic liberties.

AFRICAN PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS

A public library is a library that is accessible by the

public and is generally funded from public sources
(such as tax money) and operated by civil servants.
A

public library is an organization established,

supported and funded by the community, either
through local, regional or national government or
through some other form of community organization.

It provides access to knowledge, information and works of

the imagination through a range of resources and
services and is equally available to all members of the
community regardless of race, nationality, age,
gender, religion, language, disability, economic and
employment status and educational attainment.
Public libraries exist in many countries across the world
and are often considered an essential part of having an
educated and literate population.
Public libraries are distinct from research libraries, school libraries, and
other special libraries in that their mandate is to serve the general
public's information needs (rather than the needs of a particular
school, institution, or research population)
There are five fundamental characteristics shared by
public libraries.
The first is that they are supported by taxes (usually
local, though any level of government can and may
contribute
)They are governed by a board to serve the public
interest
They are open to all and every community member
can access the collection

 They are entirely voluntary in that no one is ever

forced to use the services provided
Lastly public libraries provide basic services without
charge

The Roles and purposes of

public library in Africa
The primary purposes of the public library are to provide
resources and services in a variety of media to meet the
needs of individuals and groups for education,
information
and
personal
development
including
recreation and leisure.
The following are some of the roles of public library;1. Education support
Supporting both individual and self-conducted education
as well as formal education at all levels
The public library should provide material in the
appropriate media to support formal and informal
learning processes.
ii Providing Information
As a public service open to all, the public library has
a key role in collecting, organizing and exploiting
information, as well as providing access to a wide
range of information sources.
iii Personal development
To achieve this, people need access to knowledge and
works of the imagination.
iv. Creating and strengthening reading habits in children
and young people.

If children can be inspired by the excitement of

knowledge and by works of the imagination at an
early age, they are likely to benefit from these vital
elements of personal development throughout their
lives, both enriching them and enhancing their
contribution to society
Children can also encourage parents and other adults
to make use of the library.

V.Cultural development
This can be achieved by working in partnership with
appropriate local and regional organizations, by
providing space for cultural activity, organizing
cultural programmmes and by ensuring that cultural
interests are represented in the librarys materials.
Some library provide materials in the languages
spoken and read in the local community, and support
cultural traditions.

Collection development in public library

Specific services and materials must be provided for
those users who cannot for whatever reason, use the
regular services and materials, for example linguistic
minorities, people with disabilities or people in hospital
or Prison
All age groups must find material relevant to their needs.
Collections and services have to include all types of
appropriate media and modern technologies as well as
traditional materials.
The following categories of library materials may be
represented in a typical public library, although this list
is not exhaustive:

 fiction and non-fiction for adults, young adults and

children
reference works
access to databases
periodicals
local, regional and national newspapers
community information

government information, including information by

and about local administrations
business information
local history resources
genealogical resources
resources in the primary language of the community
resources in minority languages in the community

Resources in other languages

Music scores
Computer games
Toys
Games and puzzles
Study materials

Formats in
collection

public

library

The following formats may be included in a public library

collection although this list is not exhaustive and new
formats are continually appearing:
Books, both hard and soft covers

Pamphlets
Newspapers and periodicals including cuttings files
Digital information through the Internet
Online databases
CD-ROM databases
Software programmes
Microforms
Tapes and compact discs (CDs)
Digital versatile discs (DVDs)
Videocassettes
Laser discs
Large print materials
Braille materials
Audio books
Electronic books
Posters.

CHALLENGES FACING PUBLIC LIBRARY IN AFRICA

Lack of up-to-date materials
Lack of motivation among library professionals
Absence of adequate buildings
co-ordination and co-operation within the library
services are absent in many countries.
Lack of recognition of the role and importance of
libraries by government authorities is also affecting
the development of the services.
The irrelevance of the materials available in the
libraries, acquired mainly through donations from
abroad

 A weak publishing industry, the inadequacy of

bibliographic systems and the irrelevance of the
materials presently held in public libraries

Lack of funding and

information related agencies

cooperation

between

The lack of community surveys and consultations by

African librarians and donors regarding information
needs of the rural population
The lack of skilled librarians, especially those with the
knowledge and willingness to incorporate oral culture in
the provision of services to rural communities, further
limits the reach of library services in rural Africa

BY-LAWS FOR LIBRARY FOUNDATIONS

A library foundation is a separate legal entity formed for the purpose of
enhancing and expanding library programs and services. Its primary
function is to secure financial and in-kind donations for programs,
services, collections, and capital projects.
The foundation offers donors a familiar and reliable vehicle for taxdeductible contributions in support of the library. Example of library
foundation are Tanzania Library Association(TLA), International
Federation of Library Association (IFLA) ,etc.
The benefits of a foundation
Grant Eligibility Foundations have the advantage of being
eligible for grants for which public libraries may not qualify. Most
grantors require that recipients be qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organizations. Also, many major grantors have a policy against
funding tax-supported institutions, but will provide grants to
foundations.

 Sponsorships and Partnerships Finding the right partner for your

project is an art, and many companies like to be associated with the
types of programs created by libraries.
Planned Giving Opportunities Planned giving is a
way for donors to make gifts to an Organization and
receive financial and tax benefits.
Investment Opportunities Foundations have the
flexibility to invest their funds to maximize the
benefit for the foundation and, eventually, the library.
Investment options available to public agencies are
usually much more restrictive.
Community Support and Confidence When people
give to a foundation they know that their gifts will be
used as intended. Gifts may be restricted, making
the giving even more appealing. For example,
specified uses may include collections, branches,
reading programs, etc
Establishing a Foundation
A library foundation is relatively easy to establish. It takes planning,
persistence, and patience. First, a few basic legal steps need to take
place. These include selecting a Board of Directors and officers,
preparing Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws and finally,
applying for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.
Some private funding or fund raising will be necessary to cover legal
fees and document filing fees; public funds may not be used to
organize and establish a foundation.
Organization
The size and organization of the foundation board will vary
depending on the needs and Resources in the community.
The key is to attract, recruit, and involve dedicated individuals in
the community who will raise funds and visibility on behalf of the

foundation. Operating policies, practices, and committees will

evolve as the foundation grows and matures.
Communication between the library board of trustees and the
foundation board of directors is essential for success.
There are numerous structures: some foundations include and involve all
library trustees on the board, some include a designated liaison from the
library trustees, and some favor total separation of the boards with other
communications systems in place.
The staffing and support of library foundations also varies. In some
cases, the library provides the staffing and office support; in other
instances, the foundation totally supports its staff and office. And in
some libraries, a mix of library resources and private funding is the
preferred structure.
Advice is available from attorneys and accountants regarding laws
governing foundation activities and fiscal management.
Bar associations, accounting firms, educational institutions, and fund
development organizations offer seminars and workshops on board
recruitment and development, financial issues, etc. which provide
valuable insight and information for both new and established
foundations.

Programs and Priorities

Library foundations support the goals and priorities of the library
and work closely with the administration in the planning and
funding of projects that benefit users and potential users.
Library foundations focus on capital projects, collections,
programs, and services that are not funded through public dollars.
For example, foundations can raise part or all of the resources for a
new building, buy books to give away as part of a reading
readiness program, and supplement collection and/or programming
funds.

 Funds raised by the foundation are in addition to

the librarys tax-supported funding and do not
replace public support. Foundations and
foundation board members extend the librarys
reach into the community, both in spreading the
word and in bringing information and issues back
to the library.
Foundations also contribute to political campaigns in support
of library levies or bond measures. And, Foundation board members
are excellent advocates for library election measures

ELECTRONIC BOOKS
What Is an Electronic Book?
An e-book (short for electronic book, or EBook), also known as a digital
book, is an e-text that forms the digital media equivalent of a
conventional printed book. It can also be a book which is originally
published in electronic format.
With the rapid development of technology and emergence of Internet,
electronic publishing is getting a tremendous impetus from the
publishing industry as well as library and information centers.
Electronic Book, popularly known as e-book which is
going to be one of the most leading digital resources
like e-journals, e-magazines, e-conference, is exerting
a dominant pressure on publishing world and paving
the way to the transition from print to electronic
media.
Mode of access
Defining mode of access required for reading the book is
also important. There are two modes of access: direct
and remote. Direct access may be an electronic file

that is saved and stored on a hard drive, a CDROM, a

floppy diskette, a personal digital assistant (PDA) (e.g.,
PalmPilot), a pocket computer, or an e-book reader
device.
Examples of direct access books are CD-ROMs, which may accompany
a print book as an electronic version, and e-books available for
purchase from various vendors such as amazon.com. These e-books
are generally downloaded and saved to a disk drive. such as
amazon.com. These e-books are generally downloaded and saved to a
disk drive.
The other type of access, which may be more common for many
libraries, is remote access. Remote access involves a connection to
the Internet and an Internet browser to access the content of an ebook from a local area network (LAN) or a remote server. These
types of e-books are offered by netLibrary, and Project Gutenberg,
among others.

Types of e-books
1.Downloadable E-book
The contents of e-book are available on a website for
downloading to the users PC. The users do not have to
purchase any special reading device and can employ
standard and well-known Web techniques to obtain the
book.
The disadvantages of downloading ebook include the
problems of reading from PC screens, unattractive

formats, and the time required to carry out

downloading operation, particularly in the absence of
high speed internet.
2.Dedicated E-book
The contents of the books are downloadable to a
dedicated hardware device, which has a high quality
screen and a special capability for book reading. Much
of the activities of dedicated e-book arena centers
around the emergence of dedicated e-book readers -hardware devices specially built and designed to
improve the reading experience and they incorporate
special controls to make book reading easy and simple.
They have also the facilities for bookmarking a page,
move through the book in a nonlinear fashion. Some
readers also incorporate links to dictionaries or
thesaurus so that the user can look up the meanings of
the words.
There is no need for PC or Internet access facilities,
because the readers incorporate modems that dial
directly into the e-book publishers server to download
books.
3. Web accessible E-book
The book remains on the providers' web site and can
be accessed on a fee basis. Readers can purchase
the books to receive indefinite access. Users require
PC to access this kind of e-book.
Print-on-demand book
The content of a book is stored in a system connected to
a high-speed, high-quality printer, from which printed
and bound copies are produced on demand. The

contents may be accessible chapter-by-chapter basis,

to enable the creation of single copies of customized
books.

EBooks version

Ebooks version

E book reading device

Advantages of electronic book

1. Multimedia format. Unlike your usual printed books, eBooks can
contain not only text and images, but also audio and even video.
This way, if the reader isnt the type of person who likes to read
paragraphs of text, he or she can choose to listen to the audio
version.
2. No shipping cost. Since were dealing with electronic files, you
can simply download them from the web. Theres no need to ship
any physical product halfway around the globe.

3. Searchable. A number of eBooks sport a Search

button, which allows you to quickly jump to the page
containing the word youre interested in.
4.Saving Physical Space
Thousands of ebooks take up no more space than the
reader than stores them.
5. Low update cost. When the author needs to update
certain parts of the ebook, she simply edits the
electronic document, saves the updated version, and
then informs customers about the new release.
The customers are either sent to the download page on the web, or are
emailed the new version.
In the case of a printed book, the publisher will probably have to make a
minimum production run of 1000 copies. This takes time and money.
6. Dont wear out with frequent use.
7. Users can add bookmarks without damaging the book

8. Production costs for e-books are frequently much lower than books
9. Instant solution: Today, if you have a mobile with internet
connection, instant e-book reading is possible from anywhere and at
any instance.

10. Available for free: You will find that E-books are also available for
free for the online searchers, which is difficult to come by in the real
world.
Disadvantages of e books
1. Not convenient to read. Who wants to sit in front of a
computer or screen for hours just reading your eBook,
right? Aside from gaining weight, sitting for prolonged
periods of time can cause muscle strain, backache,
and even an elevated cholesterol level.

2. Security and copyright considerations

3. Unattractive page format;
4. Long downloading time;

5.E-book reading devices are surely more expensive than

printed books. All devices of e-books require power.
There is a growing concern that the e-books at present
may not be accessible or compatible to the future ebooks software or devices.
6. E-books have unreliable life span. Paper has a much
longer life span than most digital forms of storage.
Because of the rapid development of new computer
systems it is difficult to judge whether the software or
hardware will become outdated
7. Virus threats: E-book could be lost or vanished by
interference of viruses if the computer is not protected
properly.
8. Piracy: Due to the increasing piracy on the internet
world, a writer or publisher may not get their desired
profits for their e-books.
9.Compatibility: The computer requires being compatible
as per the requirement for the e-book software.