Libraries in Digital Era

Libraries have existed since approximately 2600 BCE as an archive of recordedknowledge. From tablets and scrolls to bound books, they have catalogedresources and served as a locus of knowledge. Today, with the digitization ofcontent and the ubiquity of the internet, information is no longer confined toprinted materials accessible only in a single, physical location.Libraries are reinventing themselves as content becomes more accessibleonline and their role becomes less about housing tomes and more aboutconnecting learners and constructing knowledge. Libraries across the world, including the greatest academic libraries, are undergoing considerabletransformational change as a result of the digital disruption, which societyis now experiencing. In just the last two decades relatively new but nowubiquitous digital technologies have developed to allow for global access toinformation, enormous and economical storage of information and new modesof discovering and sharing knowledge. At the same time the publishing worldhas consolidated globally leading to more aggressive library economics thatrequire new strategies for acquisition of essential library materials. But mostimportantly, the use patterns of library clients have been changing dramatically.Physical book borrowing by going to the library has declined sharply, while'any place any time' access to the digital collections provided by the library hassoared.The traditional library was firmly rooted in the physical transfer ofinformation and knowledge. People came to the physical space to specificallylook at a physical item. Libraries have for long played a central role in the livesof universities, in supporting learning, teaching and research. Since universitiesthemselves vary considerably in the nature, range and scale of their activities, it is not surprising that their libraries too come in many different shapes andsizes. Along with the rest of the higher education sector, however, all of themhave experienced over the past decade a period of unprecedented change.They have transformed their operations as they have responded to theopportunities of the digital revolution, and further challenges lie ahead. Thefundamental changes that underlie the ways in which much information isnow created, modified, disseminated, and accessed offer both opportunitiesand challenges for libraries and public access to information. Across the globe, college and university libraries are changing. By blending traditional bookcollections with new technologies and a sharper focus on collaborative learning, libraries are transforming the ways we learn and conduct research. A library for the 21st century must support the digital expectations of scholars and students, provide flexible spaces for both solitary study and collaborative work, and offerstudents an array of academic support services.The present book titled "Libraries in Digital Era," has comprehensivelycovered various spheres of discussions pertaining to new age, i.e. digital age, libraries. Various interesting chapter contributions from various intellectualsin the field of library profession belonging to reputed institutions. The chaptercontributions have largely focused on those issues, which libraries of todayare dealing with or planning to adapt themselves. These contributed chapterscover topics related to digital preservation, digitization, RFID, web 3.0, socialnetworking, intelligent library system, information gateway, scientometrics, digital literacy in rural areas, modern libraries, e-content, e-books, datacuration, big data, etc.I, sincerely, thank all the contributors for their meaningful contributionin this book and anticipate their continued future endeavours in the respective areas.