(Ebook) Exploring Digital Libraries: Foundations, Practice, Prospects by Karen Calhoun ISBN 9781856048200, 1856048209

(Ebook) Exploring Digital Libraries: Foundations, Practice, Prospects by Karen Calhoun ISBN 9781856048200, 1856048209

This is landmark textbook on digital libraries for LIS students, educators and practising information professionals throughout the world. Exploring Digital Libraries is a highly readable, thought-provoking authorative and in-depth treatment of the digital library arena that provides an up-to-date overview of the progress, nature and future impact of digital libraries, from their collections and technology-centered foundations over two decades ago to their emergent, community-centered engagement with the social web. This essential textbook: brings students and working librarians up to date on the progress, nature and impact of digital libraries, bridging the gap since the publication of the best-known digital library texts; frames digital library research and practice in the context of the social web and makes the case for moving beyond collections to a new emphasis on libraries value to their communities; introduces several new frameworks and novel syntheses that elucidate digital library themes, suggest strategic directions, and break new ground in the digital library literature; calls a good deal of attention to digital library research, but is written from the perspective of strategy and in-depth experience Provides a global perspective and integrates material from many sources in one place. The book suits the needs of a range of readers, from working librarians and library leaders to LIS students and educators, or anyone who wants a highly readable and thought-provoking overview of the field and its importance to the future of libraries.