This thesis examines the strength of Extensible Markup Language (XML) technology and explores the impact of the implementation of XML in three digital library initiatives which are used as case studies by examining in depth their digital library development. In part I, metadata issues are covered and the different kinds of metadata and metadata systems available for use in digital libraries are evaluated. Different models of storing the data and their relationship with XML are evaluated. The role of SGML in the early development of digital libraries is covered. To illustrate data manipulation, the author experiments with a digital library of images and their evaluations which use an XML-aware relational database. This part also concludes content management of both text and non-text which have used XML or may in the future move towards XML. In part II, three case studies are examined and the results of interviews done by the author when visiting them assist in a detailed evaluation of the three examples. The three digital libraries are: the Library of Congress National Digital Library Program (NDLP), the University of Michigan Digital Library Services (DLS) and the Perseus Digital Library (PDL). Each digital library is evaluated in depth taking into account the digitization processes used, the metadata systems they employ and how the metadata are created, and the delivery systems. The HTTP usage statistics of the three case studies are also analyzed. The on-going work required for the maintenance of the digital libraries, managerial aspects relating to staff management, information on users and their usage and organizational aspects are covered and evaluated. The author evaluates in what ways in each of those aspects the use of XML could benefit the digital library's development. The thesis finishes with a number of recommendations that could be taken up by digital libraries to their benefit.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:428544 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Chang, Naicheng |
| Contributors | Hockey, Susan |
| Publisher | University College London (University of London) |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1445715/ |
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