Planning a digital library. The central role of the user

Abstract

The user is protagonist in a digital library even more so than in a traditional or hybrid library. Not only does he decide what line the collection takes, but it is he who produces its components. Many of the libraries who call themselves digital do in fact just confine themselves to digitizing printed texts and making them available on the net. On the other hand, a digital library that really wants to be genuine must offer more: a constant dialogue between its contents and its users thanks to its on-line services and resources.
The dynamism of a digital library (collection, services, users), requires that librarians have transversal tasks that go from electronic publishing to information and communication technology, so that, as regards the centrality of the digital library user, it is planned through its services, functions and interface as being extremely friendly, simple and rapid to use; all this without however losing sight of the importance of the contents which must be accurately and constantly chosen on the basis of the information requirements of the relative user.