摘要: Research and practice in digital libraries (DL) has exploded worldwide the 1990s. Substantial research funding become available, are actively involved DL projects conferences, journals online news lists proliferate. This article explores reasons for these developments influence of key players, while speculating on future directions. We find that term ‘digital library’ is used two distinct senses. In general, researchers view as content collected behalf user communities, practicing librarians institutions or services. Tensions exist between communities over scope concept ‘library’. Research-oriented definitions serve to build a community focus attention problems be addressed; have expanded considerably throughout Library more recent practical challenges addressed transformation universities. Future trends point toward need extensive institutions. The present ambiguity terminology hindering advance our ability communicate significance work. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.