The Hybrid Library: a View from the UK

Abstract

This paper will provide an overview of developments in the UK being carried out as part of the eLib (Electronic Libraries) programme (http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/elib/). Launched in 1994, this programme has supported a number of projects in university institutions which have aimed to develop technologies for the electronic library. It has also funded a number of supporting studies and raining and awareness activities which have helped to promote and evaluate uses of the electronic library in the UK. One of the major issues arising from the initial phases of eLib is that of integration. It has become clear that many electronic systems and services are being implemented in libraries as separate developments. Users now have to cope with a wide range of different formats of information materials with many different access methods and different interfaces. The concept of the Hybrid Library has been developed to attempt to answer these problems. The Hybrid Library aims to create a more integrated information environment for users by bringing together varieties of different sources so that they can be accessed seamlessly. It should include resources which are printed and electronic, local and remote. This paper will describe some of the developments in this area being carried out as part of the latest phase of eLib. Major issues being investigated include user authentication, metadata management, interconnectivity, digital imaging and preservation, user issues, and organisational issues.