Boston, Massachusetts
May 17-19, 1995

Realizing Digital Libraries

Appendix II: Definition and Purposes of a Digital Library

DEFINITION

There are many definitions of a “digital library.” Terms such as “electronic library” and “virtual library” are often used synonymously. The elements that have been identified as common to these definitions are:

• the digital library is not a single entity;

• the digital library requires technology to link the resources of many;

• the linkages between the many digital libraries and information services are transparent to the end users;

• universal access to digital libraries and information services is a goal; and

• digital library collections are not limited to document surrogates: they extend to digital artifacts that cannot be represented or distributed in printed formats.

PURPOSES

The purposes of a North American digital library system are:

• to expedite the systematic development of: the means to collect, store, and organize information and knowledge in digital form; and of digital library collections in North America;

• to promote the economical and efficient delivery of information to all sectors of North American society;

• to encourage cooperative efforts which leverage the considerable investment in North American research resources, computing and communications network;

• to strengthen communication and collaboration between and among the research, business, government, and educational communities;

• to take an international leadership role in the generation and dissemination of knowledge in areas of strategic importance to North America; and

• to contribute to the lifelong learning opportunities of all North Americans.