Summary of Findings
Both
digital libraries and institutional repositories typically have the mission of
archiving knowledge or cultural heritage items in an accessible and convenient
format. These organizations tend to
desire to spread access as far as possible, opening collections to the general
public and using access methods that everyone can utilize. Also, the digital presence of these
organizations, which adheres little to physical or geographical boundaries, can
form partnerships and establish communications with almost any other
institution in the world. This virtual
presence makes digital libraries uniquely capable of establishing collaborative
efforts and creating outreach among cultural institutions.
Digital
libraries tend to archive more diverse collections and represent a greater area
of geographical and cultural contributors.
Even the most specific and focused of the digital libraries under
review, The Mountain West Digital Library, still gathers items from a
collaboration of institutions. The
Chronicling America library may focus upon one print medium, but it gathers
papers from each state in the Union. This
is not to say that digital libraries end up with a greater volume of items than
institutional repositories. On the
contrary, institutional repositories have an established base of contributors
and a focused mission, making acceptance and submission of materials far easier
than a global collaboration.
Open access
software pervades the digital library landscape, especially in the area of
acceptable file formats and image viewers.
Linux operating systems appeared in more than one website, for instance. Those that use proprietary software or
formats at the very least choose freely downloadable sources, such as Adobe or
Java. These factors most significantly
contribute to the mission of providing free and convenient access to a host of
digital collections with a website that is easy to navigate and utilize.
-J. Burnley
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