Chowdhury, G.G.; Chowdhury, S.: Introduction to digital libraries (2003)
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- Footnote
- Rez. in: JASIST 55(2004) no.2, S.178-179 (M.-Y. Kan): "In their latest book, Chowdhury and Chowdhury have written an introductory text an digital libraries, primarily targeting "students researching digital libraries as part of information and library science, as well as computer science, courses" (p. xiv). It is an ambitious work that surveys many of the broad topics in digital libraries (DL) while highlighting completed and ongoing DL research in many parts of the world. With the revamping of Library and Information Science (LIS) Curriculums to focus an information technology, many LIS schools are now teaching DL topics either as an independent course or as part of an existing one. Instructors of these courses have in many cases used supplementary texts and compeed readers from journals and conference materials, possibly because they feel that a suitable textbook has yet to be written. A solid, principal textbook for digital libraries is sorely needed to provide a critical, evaluative synthesis of DL literature. It is with this in mind that I believe Introduction to Digital Libraries was written. An introductory text an any Cross-disciplinary topic is bound to have conflicting limitations and expectations from its adherents who come from different backgrounds. This is the rase in the development of DL Curriculum, in which both LIS and computer science schools are actively involved. Compiling a useful secondary source in such Cross-disciplinary areas is challenging; it requires that jargon from each contributing field be carefully explained and respected, while providing thought-provoking material to broaden student perspectives. In my view, the book's breadth certainly encompasses the whole of what an introduction to DL needs, but it is hampered by a lack of focus from catering to such disparate needs. For example, LIS students will need to know which key aspects differentiate digital library metadata from traditional metadata while computer science students will need to learn the basics of vector spare and probabilistic information retrieval. However, the text does not give enough detail an either subject and thus even introductory students will need to go beyond the book and consult primary sources. In this respect, the book's 307 pages of content are too short to do justice to such a broad field of study.
Chapter 13 an DL evaluation merges criteria from traditional library evaluation with criteria from user interface design and information retrieval. Quantitative, macro-evaluation techniques are emphasized, and again, some DL evaluation projects and reports are illustrated. A very brief chapter an the role of librarians in the DL follows, emphasizing that traditional reference skills are paramount to the success of the digital librarian, but that he should also be savvy in Web page and user interface design. A final chapter an research trends in digital libraries seems a bit incoherent. It mentions many of the previous chapters' topics, and would possibly be better organized if written as summary sections and distributed among the other chapters. The book's breadth is quite expansive, touching an both fundamental and advanced topics necessary to a well-rounded DL education. As the book is thoroughly referenced to DL and DL-related research projects, it serves as a useful starting point for those interested in more in depth learning. However, this breadth is also a weakness. In my opinion, the sheer number of research projects and papers surveyed leaves the authors little space to critique and summarize key issues. Many of the case studies are presented as itemized lists and not used to exemplify specific points. I feel that an introductory text should exercise some editorial and evaluative rights to create structure and organization for the uninitiated. Case studies should be carefully Chosen to exemplify the specific issues and differences and strengths highlighted. It is lamentable that in many of the descriptions of research projects, the authors tend to give more historical and funding Background than is necessary and miss out an giving a synthesis of the pertinent details.
