soarce

Libraries have made good progress in changing their service with new learning environments. How should libraries be organized? Is there a shared view when it comes to making libraries more networked and more digital? Frankly, no. Where to start?

The Digital Library Federation (DLF) was formed in 2005 and they in turn formed the Service Framework Group(SFG), which was to consider a more community-minded approach to information environments. The SFG wants to model the library for this new environment. A paper written on this subject and was published in July/August 2006. 

A reference model is surely needed and the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) is a good example. OAIS provides the means for digital preservation and a service framework would shape the general library landscape as a shared reference point. AN OAIS is an archive made available to a community with accepted responsibility to preserve information.

As more applications are forthcoming, the framework has to be adaptable and flexible. New products from the Web 2.0 community will make information sharable and readily available. However the need for standards will soon arise during a project. The need for end-user friendly models will surely be a top priority. What good is the information archived if it can't be readily accessed?