Abstract
This chapter reviews the ideas and experiments for supporting online digital information. Much information on the Internet may be free, but quality information worthy of appreciation requires more effort than most scientists could muster, even if able. Is free information good or not? If, like traditional library services, digital libraries should be free, how will the money be found to pay for at least the transition? The ability of users from around the world to access a digital library aggravates discussions about funding. Economic justification for libraries has been hard to achieve. Libraries have rarely been able to use cost-recovery pricing, partly because it is difficult to find fair prices when a university library may have some users who are students on meagre budgets, while other users have ample research grants. Digital libraries are going to need a new model for funding. Libraries will also have to realize that there are many other organizations hoping to be suppliers of digital information for a fee—like, publishers, bookstores, computer centers, and other libraries.
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