What exactly is a virtual repository of metadata? The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), launched with a set of linked, accessible, digital materials from libraries, archives, and museums around the country. Their tag line is “A Wealth of Knowledge.”
This interesting news was found on Media Shift in their article, “Digital Public Library Raises Questions of Ownership, Permanence, Access.” The DPLA is viewed by many as an example of our emerging digital civil society. Libraries in their familiar form represent community centers of knowledge, havens for voracious readers, on-ramps to broadband, and accessible hubs staffed by expert researchers there to help you.
For those of us who had a special friendship with the school librarian – saved you the newest acquisitions, knew you by name, and in turn, you always returned your books on time and protected them like they were your babies – the idea of a virtual librarian who has access to a “wealth of knowledge” sounds fantastic.
Melody K. Smith
Sponsored by Data Harmony, a unit of Access Innovations, the world leader in indexing and making content findable.
