Digital Libraries and Consortia: New Horizons for Scientific Research and Lifelong (e)Learning

Abstract

Many libraries are turning digital, or are improving electronic services among the more traditional ones. Sometime they start as brand new digital libraries, with no paper-based documents. This is the case of many new enterprises, which offer digital documents and global access to information. Actually, they are “libraries” as a matter of fact, especially when they provide access to e-journals, digitised books and other scientific publications. What seems important in this evolving scenario, is that libraries of every kind are experiencing the benefits of “being together”. Library Consortia appear as a possible challenge for everyone who aims at having global and precise access to a vast amount of information. What is more, this information is not only useful for those who carry out scientific research but also for all those who work in different fields of knowledge.