University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Collection definition in federated digital resource development

Palmer, Carole L.; Knutson, Ellen M.; Twidale, Michael B.; Zavalina, Oksana L.

Content Files
ASIST06FinalSubmittedVersion.doc

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/2277

Description

Title
Collection definition in federated digital resource development
Author(s)
  • Palmer, Carole L.
  • Knutson, Ellen M.
  • Twidale, Michael B.
  • Zavalina, Oksana L.
Issue Date
2006-11-06
Keyword(s)
  • IMLS DCC
  • Digital libraries
  • Digital collections
  • Collection level description
  • Collection development
  • Aggregations
Date of Ingest
2007-09-13T17:16:12Z
Abstract
As part of a federation project providing integrated access to over 170 digital collections, we are studying how collections can best be represented to meet the needs of service providers and diverse user communities. This paper reports on recent results from that project on how digital resource developers conceive of and define their collections. Based on content analysis of collection registry records, survey and interview data, and focus groups, we identify collection definition trends including a broadening of target audiences, elaboration of subject representation, and a lack of clearly defined selection criteria. Our findings reveal high variability and ambiguity in the collection construct. We discuss how the concept of collection is being continuously defined through the processes of digital resource development and federation and how rapidly changing conceptualizations are likely to impact adoption, tailoring, and development of digital collections and their use.
Publisher
Information Today
Type of Resource
text
Genre of Resource
Article
Language
eng
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/2277
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
IMLS LG-02-02-0281
Copyright and License Information
Copyright owned by Information Today

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IMLS Digital Collections and Content (IMLS DCC) PRIMARY
Reports, presentations, and publications from the IMLS DCC project
Faculty and Staff Research and Scholarship - Information Sciences
Articles, papers, and other research and scholarship from iSchool faculty and staff
Research Projects - CIRSS
Project Reports - CIRSS