Digital Copies of Bibliographic Indexes in the Electronic Library(The example of the Russian State Library)

Abstract

Digitization of printed publications by libraries is a source of bibliographic information; it provides users with wide accessibility to electronic bibliographic resources. The notion of “digital copies” is considered. The emphasis is focused on digitization of reference and bibliographic publications from the holdings of the Russian State Library (RSL). The main access points for digital copies of bibliographic publications — of local and remote access — are identified. There are determined the basic positions, confirming the importance of the translation of bibliographic indexes into a digital format. The approaches (methods) used by libraries in the selection of publications for digitization are revealed. The principles and criteria of selection of publications for digitization are studied.Based on the studied material, the conclusion is made on the need to develop special criteria for selection applicable specifically to bibliographic publications. Recommendations and proposals for the development of selection principles for bibliographic indexes are given. There are given the options and ways of reflection of digital copies of bibliographic indexes in the electronic catalogue and the e-library of the RSL on the basis of study of the library website. There are analysed the possibilities of access to the content of the electronic library and considered the options for finding and providing users with digital copies. As a result, it is concluded on the necessity to form collections by types of documents in the electronic library.The proposals will contribute to the improvement of the quality of digital content of the electronic library.