Master's Degree in Library Science and Information Studies.
"Automation applied to Information Services”

Module 5. Digital Libraries. Services:

Introduction Specific subject objectives Teaching strategies
5 Digital Library; design of digital services

5.1 Traditional services in a library.

5.2 Equivalent services in a digital library.

5.3 New services.

 At the end of this item, the student will understand the relationship and equivalence of digital library services with traditional library services. The student will research trough the literature and the sites listed down below to prepare material for discussion in class about the following:

1. How to evaluate traditional library services and prepare them to convert and/or upgrade in a digital library.
2. Make a comparison of the services offered by some digital libraries. Were they easy to find and distinguish?
3. With this experience: how to conceive and define new digital services in a library?

Description:
Libraries base its work on two basic elements: collections and services. We have already analyzed focusing of collections. It is now important that the librarian learns through this approach to design proper services for digital libraries. Basically, many of the services that are observed in traditional libraries have equivalents in digital libraries. All library users look from the very start in the library web's page for those services. For this reason is important that all library services be properly designed, grouped and shown to the users, always projecting a new dynamic and a new dimension. The digital library is not just a traditional library assisted by machines, but it shouldn't be something so different that the user can not identify it with a library.

Thus the design of services is a vital issue in a digital library, since through them users have proper access to required collections and information.

How "traditional" services typically known by users are redesigned in a digital library? Which are the new or value-added services that digital libraries have over traditional ones? Which is the methodology to make this transition? These are the questions that need answering for the librarian to dominate the focus of services.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SUPPORTING READINGS MODULE 5:
1. Servicios al usuario. See document

2. López, Clara. Modelo de Desarrollo de Bibliotecas Digitales especializadas. See document

3. Dato, Información, Conocimiento. Documento Proporcionado para el curso. See document

4. Recomendaciones Del Consejo Asesor de Cómputo UNAM para la creación de sitios Web institucionales. Ver documento