INF 7900: Digital Libraries

Credits: 3

Prerequisite(s): INF 6010, INF 6080, INF 6120, and INF 6210

Rationale for inclusion in curriculum

This course develops students’ understanding of the theoretical principles behind digital libraries and provides them with practical experience in developing digital collections. Topics to be examined include digital library users and user services, collection development, project management, information organization, metadata, information systems, digital preservation, digital library evaluation, digital librarianship, and recent research and development. Students’ knowledge of these topics will be developed through readings, discussion postings, presentations, written assignments, and hands-on task-based experiences. The goals of this course are 1) to increase the students’ awareness and understanding of the multiplicity of digital library issues, and 2) to develop their knowledge further through the practical skills learned while preparing material for inclusion into a digital library.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Comprehend the fundamental principles and processes of digital libraries.
2. Describe digital libraries and understand a n  d    u  s  e    the terminology of digital libraries.
3. Comprehend and apply  project management and collection development techniques.
4. Understand copyright law in the context of  digital libraries.
5. Identify and apply metadata elements and schema to resources.
6. Utilize digitization standards in the production of digital objects.
7. Define and assess digital collections and digital library systems for a specific user community.
8. Describe digital preservation strategies based on the content and structure of the library.
9. Evaluate  digital collections and digital library systems  with regard to their content, usability, performance, and services.

Content

The following topics will be covered in this course:

• Digital library definition and foundational concepts.
• Collection development practices including selection, project management, and digitization processes.
• Information  organization  and  representation  in  the  digital library.
• Metadata standards, development and practices.
• Evaluation of digital libraries’ and user experience.
• Digital library users, users’ needs,  and user services.
• Issues and challenges of digital preservation for digital libraries.
• External influences on the  development  of  digital  libraries: copyright, economic issues,  and social aspects.
• The future of  digital libraries: research and development.
• Expected knowledge and practical skills  of digital librarians.

Course methodology

• Class discussions
• Lectures
• Exercises
• Experiential projects
• Readings
• System assessments and comparisons

Bases for evaluation of student performance

• Class participation
• Assignments
• Quizzes and exercises

• Student projects

Text

 Xie, I. & Matusiak, K. (2016). Discover digital libraries: Theory and practice. Elsevier. Selected white papers and journal articles.

Updated: 4/2024