Whole Environment Research on Distributed and Collaborative Digital and Non-digital Networked Libraries in Scotland

Abstract

The Centre for Digital Library Research at Strathclyde University is described and set in the context of a range of Scottish initiatives and projects, including the Scottish executive's own ‚Digital Scotland‘. Work is ongoing in a number of areas ranging through interoperability in distributed catalogues and related dynamic landscaping via the integration of standards-based collection descriptions databases, regional and national digital library and learning environment initiatives, and other topics such as subject-based interoperability, electronic books design, small communities electronic journals publishing, and a range of related strategic and policy issues. The Centre's aim is to have a Scottish and UK focus, whilst also contributing to international research efforts in the area. Its work to date is characterised by an aim to study the whole environment in which distributed and collaborative digital and non-digital libraries are developing rather than dealing with individual facets in isolation.