Digital libraries aim at unhindered access to content over computer
and communication networks, and digitization may be taken as a visible
proposition to enhance the shelf life of non-digital content by preservation
apart from the virtue of increased and easy access, thereby furthering
usage. As a fresh, lively and dynamic area with a lot of enthusiasm
and activity by researchers from different disciplines, institutions
and countries, digital libraries are viewed in different perspectives
and the single most development that has brought about sweeping changes
in the library and information discipline currently in the developed
world is that of digital libraries. Advancements in computer and
information technology with breakthroughs in memory technology has
not only reduced the cost of infrastructure required for hosting
digital libraries, but the demonstrated success of a wide variety
of projects in USA and Europe also endorsed the chances of their
survival even in a developing country. Though the professionals and
libraries in developing countries are also experiencing the virtues
of Internet, and electronic information highways, many of these libraries
have not gone much farther than the computerization of in-house operations,
availing databases in electronic media such as CD-ROMs, and web access
of subscribed journals and various free resources. Digital library
development should be taken up as an additional task to populate
the web sites with valuable in-house content like the research reports,
publications of in-house researchers, and so on. Digital library
projects and developments in the country are so many, though a large
number of them are only at an aggressively enthusiastic preliminary
stage. In a country such as India so rich in content of indigenous
research and development in disciplines varied from science and technology
to social science, humanities and spirituality, there is tremendous
need for hosting full fledged digital libraries by appropriately
tagging the content with affordable information technology. However,
what is lacking, especially in developing countries, is a coordinated
collaborative approach to bring in institutions and identifying content
valuable for digitization with sufficient monetary and infrastructure
support. The digital library development in the country needs a two-pronged
strategy (i) to digitize local content, and (ii) to devise options
for accessing external resources. Channels for internal content include
journals and serials for research, conference proceedings, theses
and dissertations and preprints, research and status reports, textbooks
and learning materials, government publications, spiritual/heritage
sources, tourism information, traditional knowledge, etc. As far
as external resources are concerned, there are electronic options
from publishers and information provides such as, online access through
Web of subscribed journals, CDs and floppies containing supplementary
material of printed books, bibliographic/full-text databases, which
can be hosted on library servers or intranet along with local content.
The problems for digital library development are manifold in India
such as lack of interest, non-availability of computer and IT infrastructure
for library activities, copyright problems, ensuring secure access,
properly selecting content from the mass available, internet bandwidth,
absence of sufficient financial support, over concentration of professional
time on administrative routines, acute shortage over concentration
of professional time on administrative routines, acute shortage of
competent manpower, etc. The software boom engulfing the country,
as a result of the big leap in computer penetration, sudden rise
in proficient manpower, and sizable improvement in communication
infrastructure should also be treated as an asset and taken advantage
of by authorities and information professionals to create and maintain
digital information facilities to usher in the new information age.