Then we explore the Open Archives Initiative that provides a unified framework for interoperable digital libraries based on simplifications of the Dublin Core metadata standard and the Dienst protocol, along with XML representation and repository harvesting. Finally we use these to explain the development and operation of a worldwide federated digital library project, the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations. This tutorial describes how to build your own digital library using the Greenstone digital library software, a comprehensive, open-source system for constructing, presenting, and maintaining information collections. They are easily maintainable and can be rebuilt entirely automatically. Browsing utilizes hierarchical structures that are created automatically from metadata associated with the source documents.
Collections can include text, pictures, audio, and video.
The Greenstone software runs under both Unix and Windows, and is issued as source code under the GNU public license. Attendees will receive an extensive user manual and should learn enough to download the software, set up a digital library system, and create their own searchable, browsable, information collections with whatever searching and browsing indexes they require. Those with programming skills should be able to extend and tailor the system extensively. In the Internet age, the chain between production and consumption is accelerating. Consumers are demanding individualization of products and shorter life cycle of production.