The features of digital library, Digital libraries are the modern version of the conventional walk-in library. They are an online database including a variety of digital assets such as photos, texts, video, and audio. Although digital libraries have been around for a few years, the recent pandemic has increased user awareness of this service.
During the lockdown, while people were shut up in their homes, they began to explore digital platforms, and as a result, the popularity of digital libraries surged among other digital services, thanks to the great features of a virtual library.
Many digital libraries, such the National Digital Library of India, provided students with 3.5 million pieces of content, allowing them to study from the comfort of their own homes.
In comparison to traditional school libraries, digital libraries have a far greater scope, no physical limits, and inexpensive upkeep costs. We’ll go into more detail about the qualities and characteristics of digital libraries, as well as what distinguishes them from traditional libraries.
Features
1.No Physical Restrictions:
Traditional libraries require physical preparations and visits to obtain books and other documents. There are no physical limits in the case of digital libraries. It is accessible from any location, including the convenience of one’s own home! A strong Internet connection is sufficient.
That is it!
2.Multiple Access:
One major issue with traditional libraries is the restriction on several users accessing the same material at the same time. It is not an issue in the context of digital libraries. Multiple persons and institutions can use the same resource at the same time. Mintbook is one such digital library that makes information available to universities, training centres, banking institutions, and even schools. It contains a range of stuff to suit everyone’s preferences.
3.Easy-to-Use:
When compared to traditional libraries, digital libraries are more user-friendly. Simply search for the title or author, and you’ll have your book in no time. You don’t have to search through the shelves for a book. Furthermore, their digital libraries are customisable. Such DLs can be simply customised to meet your business needs by integrating with your existing infrastructure.
4.Conservation and Preservation:
Physical books become damaged after being used and reused. Their pages become torn, and print fades with time. Thus, DLs have a competitive advantage in this field. The frequency with which a resource is accessed has no bearing on its condition. It retains its original form for a longer amount of time. However, it is still controversial if DLs are the best way to preserve physical books.
5.No Limitation of Space:
Traditional libraries have limited storage capacity due to physical space constraints. However, there is no such constraint in the case of DLs. Because media storage is so inexpensive, DLs can store hundreds of resources with ease. Mintbook Digital Library contains approximately ten lakh pieces of material in over ten different regional languages!
Their materials include movies, e-books, magazines, quizzes, simulation laboratories, and media clips. They also include annotation tools such as notes, highlighters, dictionaries, and more. In a nutshell, it contains everything you could possibly want from a library during this pandemic.
6.Scope of Improvement:
Technological advancements have helped to improve and advance digital libraries. In the future, we can expect an upgraded version of these DLs. For example, the quality of images may improve by removing noticeable faults such as discolouration and stains.
7.More Than a Library:
Another fascinating aspect of digital libraries is that they are more than simply libraries. Its scope is broader than traditional school libraries. For example, digital libraries communicate with their clients in both official and casual ways.
8.No Time-Bound:
Returning the book to the library is the one thing we all find most lazy to do. We all know we usually return books late, but what happens next? The late fee is paid by us. You can only check out books for as little as one week at certain libraries. In just one week, who can finish a book? Not unless you’re a voracious reader, that is.
Digital libraries are another solution to this issue. After paying a minimal monthly fee, you will have access to all of their content until the end of the subscription period. The hassle of returning the book on time is gone!
9.No Boundaries of Knowledge:
Digital libraries break down knowledge barriers at the regional and national levels. For example, suppose a person from one country want to access books from another country. In that instance, he or she can readily get the book from a digital library. A walk-in library cannot have every book in the world, however Digital Libraries can. You can access any text from anywhere in the world!
A digital library not only has a diverse collection of texts and books, but it also has texts in multiple languages. Language is not a barrier to DLs.
Some technologically advanced digital libraries offer a 360-degree virtual learning environment.
It allows clients to enrol in a varied training programme. Aside from academic resources, digital libraries include occupational information. It truly does offer something for everyone.
Digital libraries benefit students, schools, institutions, and everyone who enjoys learning. They are proving useful, especially now that the coronavirus has hit us hard. With all tangible sources of knowledge shut off, one thing has remained unaffected: digital libraries. If you want to learn more, don’t limit yourself to tangible books or resources.
Digital libraries are the ideal approach to improve oneself, particularly at this moment. It has every feature you could wish for. It has thousands of resources; it’s inexpensive, simple to use, and easily available. Digital libraries are the need of the hour, and transitioning to them will not disappoint.
