Digital Libraries Workshop
Building and Using the Universal Library
1. Divide into groups – (not necessary if this is a homework assignment)
2. (30 minutes) Using the computer, each group should carefully
examine the sites listed and come up with answers to the questions below.
3. (30 minutes) Each group will report back to the larger group on their findings. (in class exercise only)
4. Write an appraisal of three of the sites using the questions below (homework assignment).
Digital Library Sites
1. The Kheel Center for Labor‑Management Documentation & Archives <http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/library/kheel/>
2. Perseus Project <http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/>
3. Community Connector <http://www.si.umich.edu/Community>
4. Corbis <http://www.corbis.com>
5. International Institute of Social History <http://www.iisg.nl>
6. NYPL Digital Library Collection <http://digital.nypl.org/>
7. Schaumberg Center for Research in Black Culture <http ://www.nypl.org/research/sc/sc.html>
8. American Memory <http://memory.loc.gov>
Who would use the site?
What's the use of the site? What's the nature of the collection? Is it extensive?
Come up with a question or request that your site should be able to address and see if you can find the answer or information you're looking for.
On the way to flnd the information (above) did you come across other pieces
of information or services that you found interesting? (as you might have if
you were
browsing a traditional book library)
Was the site easy to use? Why or why not?
Was it well‑organized? Was it compelling?
What's there that's innovative? Troublesome?
How is the site that you examined like a traditional library? a reference tool? a magazine? How does the site that you examined compare with other media?
Who is in charge of the site and what restrictions or biases might they have that are manifested in the system?
What biases might be built into the system?
Feel free to ask and answer other questions!