Contents: Preface. 1. Virtual library. 2. Creating virtual library. 3. Virtual collections. 4. Digital library components. 5. Creation of instructional materials. 6. Electronic documents. 7. Networked digital library. 8. Exploring web resources. 9. Learning and instruction delivery. 10. Library support for online learners. 11. External providers of education. 12. Optical media. 13. Virtual reality in the library environment. 14. Issues of library environment. 15. Theory of the digital library. 16. Changing trends of libraries. Bibliography. Index.

"Digital libraries are a set of electronic resources and associated technical capabilities for creating, searching, and using information. Almost all digital libraries are made up of a number of virtual elements including the internet and intranets; integrated access to information; digitisation of materials; access to electronic publications; electronic document delivery; resource sharing; cooperative developments; and, end user-services.

A digital library that contains virtual collections helps its users in several ways. For a digital library to be able to easily create and remove virtual collections, to associate resources with different virtual collections in a flexible way, and to help users find and use the virtual collections, the library must have a structured approach to representing these collections.

This book introduce the concept of virtual collections and outline the costs and benefits for defining such collections. It discusses the implications of virtual collections for enhancing interoperability and sharing across digital libraries. Students and professionals of library and information science will benefit from the contents of the book." (jacket)