The architecture that allows for a great academic digital library also allows for the possibility of eliminating most academic digital libraries. After all, what makes a great digital library is primarily the packaging and customized delivery of other people's content. When the automobile was first introduced, thousands of local car manufacturers sprang up. These companies competed with each other, but they also cooperated as well. One aspect of that cooperation was the standardization of parts.
Standardization lends itself to consolidation.
Think how many automobile makers we have today. Ditto for digital libraries. The Internet has already evolved to the point where a commercial or non-commercial institution can deliver services to anyone with a connection. Not so fast. Adam Corson-Finnerty is Director of Development for the Library of the University of Pennsylvania.