The day is not far when with a single click of the mouse one could have access to all documentary resources of national importance including rare manuscripts, ancient literary works, census and statistical data and even research thesis.
Central Information Technology Department has prepared a draft paper to integrate the efforts of various ministries and government organisations involved in creating individual digital content, into a single pool?National Digital Library.
The draft paper has been circulated to various stakeholders such as ministries, research organisations, academic institutions and business chambers for feedback, as it would initiate a debate on policy issues, type of content to be digitised, required standards, and Intellectual Property Rights of material over digital domain.
?There will be a need to look into the content that should be digitised. Priority should be given to content relating to legal documents such as plans and policies, history of legal access, census and statistical data, spatial data and other relevant information. Priority should also be attached to digitising material related to education and research purposes such as thesis, research work, reference material,? the paper said.
The paper also proposed a registry of digital libraries in the country so that connectivity can be provided to the NDL portal, and said that ERNET, STPI, NIC and IISc, Bangalore could be considered for housing the library.
