Module Identifier DS35010  
Module Title DIGITAL INFORMATION: DISCOVERY TO DELIVERY  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Mrs Lucy A Tedd  
Semester Available all semesters  
Other staff Mr John Nelson, Ms Tanya C Rogers  
Course delivery Other   Students will be expected to work through a printed distance learning workbook for this module. This will include a number of online practical exercises to be completed, for which feedback will be provided. Students will also be guided to read specific sections of the core text as well as other readings from key journals. Online discussion of relevant issues will also take place.  

Brief description

Following government funding in various countries worldwide collections of digital information, or digital libraries, emerged during the 1990s as a key development area in practice, as well as in research, for information professionals, computer scientists, librarians, archivists as well as those involved in cultural heritage institutions. The advantages of such collections for users are various as they provide access to digital information sources on a 24/7 basis and are important in supporting changing patterns of teaching and learning in educational establishments, for general lifelong learning programmes, for global access to cultural artefacts, government information and so on. In addition they are seen by many as an opportunity to overcome the `digital divide¿ between countries as information can be made available in a language and format appropriate for users. Students of this module will explore and critically assess ways in which digital information is created, acquired, organised and presented within digital libraries so as to support its discovery and delivery. Examples of digital libraries implemented in many countries will be studied and in particular the digital collections made available from the National Library of Wales will be used as a case study.

Content

The topics to be covered inlearing materials will comprise:
*Digital information in context

Module Skills

Problem_solving Practical exercises will encourage problem solving and student-centred learning  
Research skills Students will research an existing digital information collection for the course work.  
Communication Information presentation in various formats for different audiences  
Improving own Learning and Performance Problem¿based learning through practicals and seminars will help students acquire abilities that can be adapted for lifelong learning  
Team work None  
Information Technology Students of this module will make extensive use of the Internet to research specific digital information collections.  
Application of Number Not explicitly  
Personal Development and Career planning The information gained from studying this course will help students further a career in the information industry.  
Subject Specific Skills Management of collections of digital information  

Reading Lists

Books
** General Text
Chowdhury, G. G. (2003) Introduction to digital libraries /G.G. Chowdhury and Sudatta Chowdhury Facet Publishing 1856044653
Chowdhury, G. G. (2003.) Introduction to digital libraries /G.G. Chowdhury, Sudatta Chowdhury. Facet 1856044653PBK
Deegan, Marilyn. (2002.) Digital futures :strategies for the information age /Marilyn Deegan and Simon Tanner. Library Association 1856044114
Tedd, Lucy A. (2005) Digital libraries:principles and practice in a global environment /Lucy A. Tedd, Andrew Large Saur 3598116276
Tedd, Lucy A. (2005) Digital librariesprinciples and practice in a global environment /Lucy A. Tedd, Andrew Large http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/eBooks?ste=22&docNum=CX3454099999&q=uniaber Saur 3598116276PRINT
Witten, I. H. (c2003.) How to build a digital library /Ian H. Witten, David Bainbridge. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers 1558607900
Witten, I. H. (c2003.) How to build a digital libraryIan H. Witten, David Bainbridge. http://www.netLibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=83784 Morgan Kaufmann Publishers 0585462356ELECTRONICBK
** Recommended Text
Hughes, L. (2003) Digitizing collections :strategic issues for the Information Manager London:Facet Publishing

Journals
Ariadne (Electronic Journal)
D-Lib Magazine ( Electronic Journal)
First Monday ( Electronic Journal)
Information Technology and Libraries
Journal of Digital Contents
Library Hi-Tech
Program
The Electronic Library
Vine

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6