Libraries, alongside other cultural heritage institutions, are increasingly investing in web presence in order to broaden access to their collections. Digital libraries have emerged as platforms hosting (or at least giving access to) collections for all, copyright and connectivity permitting.
 
Such initiatives have been recognised by IFLA in its vision on digital libraries as a means of ‘offering the broadest and most complete service possible’, and in a joint manifesto with UNESCO as a ‘new channel to the universe of knowledge and information, connecting cultures across geographical and social boundaries’.
 
This session will explore recent efforts to assess what impact digital libraries are having, over and above visitor numbers. With increasing pressure on libraries in many fields to show the value of their work, such efforts can provide useful arguments both for specific initiatives, and for libraries as a whole.

Speakers:

  • Charles Henry, Council on Library and Information Resources, United States
  • Wan Wong, National Library of Australia, Australia
  • Susan Reilly, Qatar National Library, Qatar
  • Jeanne Drewes, Library of Congress, United States
  • Partha Pratim Das, National Digital Library of India, India