University of Michigan
Sandra E. Colombo, Ph.D.
Product Area Manager, IT
Information, Research, and Access Products & Services

Digital Library

A. Introduction

A joint program launched in 1993 by the UM Information Technology Division, the School of Information and the University Library to address the campus environment for network information resources.

B. Problem Statement

How to create a campus information environment which is comprehensive (campus wide in its perspective), coherent (logical in its organization), and coordinated (supported by systems and standards to promote effective access). As the UM computing environment has become more distributed, the development of systems to facilitate the location and retrieval of digital collections on campus has been a priority. The underlying goal is to recognize the rich array of individual or unit-created digital resources as part of the evolving, broad notion of a campus digital information environment--that is, the campus as library. The diversity of such resources ranges from archaeological site information from the Department of Classics, to census data from the Population Studies Center, to insect taxonomic holdings of the Zoology museum, to gross anatomy images in the medical school.

C. Objectives: Desired Outcomes

To create a comprehensive networked information environment, a seamless rich set of tools and resources for the University community.

D. Strategies

• To create and/or acquire new digital information resources
• To develop the necessary infrastructure
• To create mechanisms to involve other campus information provides/creators in the evolving campus wide efforts
• To provide integration and coordination of campus information resources

E. Key Components Underway

• Gateway registry/metadata
• Building content and tools (TULIP, PEAK, Core Journals, Text initiatives, Electronic Reference Shelf, Visual Image projects)
• Production services
• Conversion and preservation
• Research and development

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	Developed & Maintained by: webmgr@cni.org	© 2008 Coalition for Networked Information ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Any comments, or feedback?		Last Update:   Tuesday, 08 October, 2002 - 01:14 PM - EDT