Module Identifier IL35010  
Module Title DIGITAL INFORMATION : DISCOVERY TO DELIVERY  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Mrs Lucy A Tedd  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   6 x 2 hours  
  Other   2 X 2 hours visits  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam1.5 Hours  50%
Semester Assessment Evaluation of an existing digital information collection (1,500 words)  50%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Describe the stages in a project to digitise a particular collection

Explain the importance of Intellectual Property Rights with respect to digital information

Evaluate digital information collections

Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of standards in digital information discovery and delivery

Explain the challenges in managing a collection of digital information sources

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 in lectures/seminars will comprise:

Module Skills

Problem_solving Practical exercises and seminar sessions 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 Some of the seminars will involve students working in groups to investigate particular digital information aspects.  
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 seeking a career in the information industry.  
Subject Specific Skills Management of collections of digital information  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
M. Deegan and S. Tanner (2002) Digital futures: strategies for an information age. London: Facet Publishing
Tedd, L.A. and J.A. Large (2005) Digital Libraries : principles and practice in a global environment Munich: Saur
** Recommended Consultation
G. G. Chowdhury and S. Chowdhury (2003) Introduction to digital libraries. London: Facet Publishing
Haynes, D. (2004) Metadata for information management and retrieval London: Facet Publishing
I. Witten and D. Bainbridge (2003) How to build a digital library San Francisco: Morgan Kaufmann
L.Hughes (2003) Digitizing collections: strategic issues for the information manager London: Facet Publishing
LEE, S. and F. Boyle (2004) Building an electronic resource collection: a practical guide London : Facet Publishing
Secker, Jane. (2004) Electronic resources in the virtual learning environment :a guide for librarians /[by] Jane Secker. 1843340607

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6