A Handbook of Digital Library Economics

4

The universal library: realising Panizzi’s dream

Derek Law

Abstract.

Derek Law provides an overview and analysis of the case studies that form an integral part of this book. He also sets digital libraries – and their key tasks of aggregation, infrastructure and collection building, preservation, service and tools provision, standards development and maintenance–into their historical, environmental, political and economic context. The growing emphasis on collaboration and partnership – as evinced by the project narratives in this book – is noted. Reference is also made to new (digital) publishing models and the economic aspects in particular. The drive towards sustainability is seen as being of paramount importance throughout the case studies ...