Cornell University Library is furthering its reputation as an international model for digital libraries, thanks to a special relationship with two major software and computing firms. Significant assistance from Sun Microsystems of Palo Alto, Calif., will dramatically enhance the library's computing resources, multiplying its current digital library storage capacity by more than fivefold. Cornell Library also is cooperating with Endeavor Information Systems of Des Plaines, Ill., a leading library automation vendor, in the co-development of new digital library software called ENCompass.
"The Cornell University Library has been a pioneer in such initiatives for over a decade," said H. Thomas Hickerson, associate university librarian at Cornell. "Our combined relationship with Sun and Endeavor is particularly compelling as we move forward in realizing a new model for research libraries."
In June, the Cornell Library was named the Sun Center of Excellence for Digital Libraries by Sun Microsystems. With support provided by Sun and by partnering with Endeavor Information Systems in the design of ENCompass, Cornell Library will continue with the work of digitizing its vast collections.
"Such developments allow the research library to function in its traditional role as an encyclopedic resource for the preservation and dissemination of disciplinary and cultural materials while expanding its services to a networked environment that supports teaching, research and distributed learning," said Hickerson.
Increasingly, libraries are creating digital collections based on their own holdings and virtual collections by combining unique materials worldwide.
Cornell is at the cutting edge of this revolution in the creation, publication and distribution of digital information. More than two dozen major networked collections have been developed at Cornell, including Making of America (over 100,000 magazine and journal articles reflecting life in late 19th century America http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/ ), Ezra Cornell papers (letters, diaries, photographs and other documents http://moa.cit.cornell.edu/MOA/EZRA.html ), Louis Agassiz Fuertes Artwork (ornithological paintings and personal correspondence and journals http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/Birds/ ) and the Geospatial Information Repository (providing data for New York state on agriculture, ecology, natural resources and human-environment interactions http://cugir.mannlib.cornell.edu ).
Thematic web sites focus on the art and literature of the fantastic (including graphic material from the Cornell witchcraft collection http://rmc2.library.cornell.edu/fantastic/ ), Japanese theater (http://cidc.library.cornell.edu/hana ) and 20th century totalitarian regimes (http://cidc.library.cornell.edu/dof ). New developments include Euclid (electronic publishing for current mathematical journals http://euclid.library.cornell.edu/project/ ), SagaNet (an international collection of Nordic saga literature) and new digital library services such as My Library ( http://gould.mannlib.cornell.edu/newhelp/res_services/mylib.html ). Such developments are transforming the very nature of the library experience for users.
"Developing the technological, professional and economic infrastructure to manage the rapid pace of current change is a tremendous challenge," said Cornell University Librarian Sarah Thomas. "This collaboration allows us to implement a diverse array of digital library services ranging from multimedia publishing to basic research in the long-term preservation of electronic data."
Sun Microsystems provides open network computing solutions for colleges and universities around the world, including digital libraries. "Most academic libraries don't have the technology, expertise or budget to design, implement and maintain a custom digital library application," said Kim Jones, vice president for global education and research at Sun Microsystems Inc. "The availability of ENCompass provides a road map for libraries wanting to digitize their collections."
Currently, more than 500 library installations featuring Endeavor's software have employed Sun technology. Sun and Endeavor are strongly committed to the education market and remain on the forefront of ongoing research and development of academic library technology.
Jane Burke, Endeavor's president and CEO, said: "We are proud to partner with Cornell, a leader in the digital library revolution, and I am pleased that Sun Microsystems is such a positive partner, recognizing the future of digital libraries."
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