Doctoral Student Discussion of Digital Libraries and Dissertations
Presented by
Mark Butler
University of California, Berkeley
markhb@info.berkeley.edu
Lisa Schiff
University of California, Berkeley
lschiff@info.berkeley.edu
Our breakout group was for PhD students to discuss their current research. All of the participants, except one, were currently doctoral students working on their dissertations. The first question asked was: Are "digital libraries" a "hot" dissertation topic? The consensus was that while there are plusses, "digital libraries" are actually a dangerous area of study for three reasons.
First, they lie on the "bleeding edge"; they are too electronic to be accepted by traditional libraries. As a result, the topic can be a detriment to getting a faculty position.
Second, the lack of acceptance of the topic is aggravated by problems inherent with true interdisciplinary endeavors; there is a general lack of acceptance in the academy. Each discipline guards its territory and insists it represents a pure form while interdisciplinary efforts are seen as corrupt instances. The example of sociology of technology and science was discussed. It is shunned by sociology and natural science. A number of well-respected researchers in the field are not being granted tenure and programs are being shut down. Digital libraries are too applications-oriented to be accepted by computer science. They are too technology-oriented to be accepted by social science. They occupy an ugly middle ground that makes them potentially unpopular to all.
Third, there is no clear defintion of "digital library." Current systems range from an "electrified" version of a traditional library with computerized record-keeping and scanned images of pages to CD-ROM databases with multimedia collections. Selecting the wrong system to study can be a career-threatening mistake.
Finally, the students discussed the traditional dichotomy between theory and practice in library schools. The consensus was that both are needed for a successful program. Masters programs should focus more on practice while providing theoretical scaffolding. Doctoral programs should focus on theory while requiring empirical validation through the study of practice.
Last Updated: Feb. 17, 1997