Bringing the Digital Library Design into the Realm of Enterprise Architecture

Abstract

Previous digital library research and initiatives have conceptualized and proposed several frameworks for the design, development, evaluation and interaction of digital library systems. Levy and Marshall (1996) discussed a work-oriented perspective of digital library research that is based on the work people do, and how digital libraries assist in the completion of work related tasks. Their framework highlights three crucial characteristics of digital libraries: document, technology and work (which involves research and service). Moen and McClure (1997) identified a framework of five interacting dimensions in digital library of Government Information Locator Service (GILS): policy, users, technology, contents, and standards. The evaluation framework also includes three perspectives, representing the “views” of the stakeholders in the GILS: users, agencies, and the government. Marchionini and Fox (1999) identified four dimensions of digital library development: community, technology, service and content. Saracevic and Covi (2000) presented a framework, consisting seven levels, for examining digital libraries: social, institutional, individual, interface, engineering, processing and content. Another holistic framework is presented by Fuhr et al. (2001) consisting four major dimensions, namely data/collection, system/technology, users and usage. Sandusky (2002) developed a list of six attributes in framing digital library usability research: audience, institution, access, content, services, and design and development. Soergel (2002) offered a digital library research framework consisting of three guiding principles and eleven specific themes for research and development. Gonclaves et al. (2004) introduced 5S and formalisms for Streams, Structures, Spaces, Scenarios, and Societies — as a framework for providing theoretical and practical unification of digital libraries. All these frameworks emphasize the importance of a holistic approach rather than examine digital libraries as a single view, which would be limited in their utility. However, the absence of common frameworks in the digital library development practices undermines the ability to develop and design digital library systems efficiently, to create large-scale collaborative activities, and to communicate the value of the systems to other communities. Gladney et al. (1994) wrote that the broad and deep requirements of digital libraries demand new frameworks and theories in order to understand better the complex interactions among their components. Supporting this claim, the summary report of the Joint NSF-European Union (EU) Working Groups on Future Directions of Digital 1 Libraries Research recommended that “new frameworks and theories be developed in order to