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Digital Reading Mode

Networked computers provide a new library reading mode. There are obstacles to providing this reading mode for access to off-line collections, but these obstacles are not different from others faced with access in microform or audio reading modes. A quirk of the digital reading mode is that adding access to off-line collections inadvertently adds access to the universe of on-line information. This presents a concern since the off-line collections are under bibliographic control while cyberspace is not. So the addition of the digital reading mode sends libraries into an unlibrary like environment.

For libraries the digital reading mode generates implications realized and unseen. The reading mode is interactive and could actually add content to the stored collections. The preservation implication is also interesting. The systems of bibliographic control based on acquisition of physical media and collection maintenance based on preservation of physical media can no longer assure the integrity of the library. Even the continuing role of source originals can come into doubt as digital reading is extended into retrospective collections. If libraries are to retain their attributes of excellent bibliographic control and collection maintenance these attributes will have to be applied to digital reading services. Here an infrastructure model would be helpful.

A Model for Digital Reading in Libraries

Inter library loan has achieved digital delivery based on paper collections. Patron photocopying also offers an example of machine access to the stored collections. These services do involve a collection maintenance cost, but they also confirm the practicality of digital delivery from retrospective collections.

A more exotic model for digital reading in libraries is provided by virtual archeology and the "read" archeological deposits. Here new technologies of underground resistivity probes, magnetometry and ground penetrating radar enable the mapping of buried structures. The computer data is conveyed into three dimensions and interpreted into architectural reconstructions. Site study proceeds without disturbance of the original deposits and excavation is warranted only to confirm exceptional discoveries. Meanwhile a wider audience gains access to the research via a virtual "walk through" of the buried city.

In this example research and entertainment are derived from telemetry and computer reconstruction from underground deposits. The source materials are undisturbed and will continue to be available for investigation and confirmation. Does this example suggest a model for the digital access to library collections?

Discussion of the Model

The link in the archeology model between passively preserved source materials and actively studied surrogates should be considered in the library context. One reason is the rapid growth of the digital exploration of these collections. Another is the inevitable cost of continued physical circulation of valuable and fragile original materials. While most collections will never be systematically imaged for digital access, at the other extreme a small minority of research materials will certainly be converted for the digital reading mode, probably over and over again. These items with so many readers must be accessible off-line and on-line and as originals, facsimiles, microfilm and digital files. Between such extremes are routine transactions exemplified by inter-library loan, user photocopying and document express service, now all converging with digital technology. While these transactions do not systematically covert collections they do provide universal access, query by query.

Unlike telemetry from the buried city, imaging from library collections is derived from artificially assembled and stored materials separated from their historical or natural matrix and the machine mediated reading is via an imaging that does not distinguish original source from facsimile source. If library collections are layered with reformatted and "inter-negative" type collections the digital readings become third generation copies. Here the systems of bibliographic control take on the role of a natural and historical matrix in which the materials can be discovered. But both subject and use based conversion projects could transform source materials from originals to copies.

If source originals and a digital reading mode mutually redefine each other does this contingent understanding circle back to the source original or does the simulation take on a life of its own, or both? For a wide readership the computer simulated Roman city, buried for 2000 years is sufficient. The experience of virtual archeology and access to the telemetry, without any direct contact with the source materials, provides interpretation for the serious researcher as well. At all levels, unique qualities of the digital reading mode add to the understanding of the buried deposits. Multimedia simulations attract a wide readership and interactive, hypertext and searchable text features lead to new research and new disciplines.

These issues of (1) role of source materials, (2) organization of the source collections and the (3) consequence of a new reading mode are all features of the archeological model relevant to libraries.

Role of Physical Source Originals

The fossil record show that human dexterity evolved before the brain. Discovery was based on manipulation of physical objects and the hand prompted the mind. This legacy is still with us not only in the perennial hand crafts, but also in the graphic user interface and in research to make the human-computer interface seamless with the physical word. But the nominal manipulations of keyboard and mouse do not fully exploit our talent to manage conceptual works as physical objects.

The library does reveal our talent for managing conceptual works as physical objects. The leap here is that there is more than nostalgia in an information system that conveys conceptual works via physical objects. This transmission principle has worked well. There is a need for a passive physical state of information as exemplified by the paper book. We need at least some information systems immune from distortion by surrounding culture change and from the churn of communication technologies. We also need some information systems and stored knowledge resources that are immune from the preemption of software navigation and search engine design. This is not a question of artifical intelligence, it is a question of artificiation of our own intelligence.

While libraries are ready to move toward digital delivery they must cross this bridge both ways and assure the continuing role of the source originals. When libraries add machine and software mediated reading to their services they could move away from linkage with the source original. What will happen to libraries if source originals are generally displaced and removed from the process of on-line library reading?

Organization of the Collections

Persistent source originals and their systems of bibliographic control distinguish libraries. This is doubly true when all information sources use the same delivery system and presentation style. Digital access to traditional library collections flows into broadcast and document domains where the source, structure and extent of content is not always apparent and content continually appears and disappears. This is an unlibrary-like environment. Digitizing library materials adds an additional access for library users, but this is a reading mode that extends beyond bibliographic control and beyond linkage to the source original. This is a virtual reading mode finally detached from physical media.

Here the continuing social role of the library to organize and preserve the documentary record comes into question. Librarians should argue that this role to define and identify communities through documentation is more important than ever. It should also be argued that the library is the best equipped institution to assure linkage between the reader and source original. Originals define communities because of their special relationship with the conceptual work they convey. This could be considered a rather minor, liturgical quality of originals, but to put it contemporary terms, originals exceed the capacity of current technologies of digital capture, duplication and delivery to reproduce them.

Consequence of the Digital Reading Mode

It is surprising how inevitable digital delivery of text and images has become. It is also disturbing that traditional collections may be changing status from primary cognitive tools to that of accessories to the processes of digital delivery. There is a suggestion here that the original source is less relevant, even disposable, once the digital surrogate is provided. Librarians should counter this suggestion and tactically argue that the role of the source originals includes stabilizing and organizing the digital reading mode.

Reading from physical media is the progenitor of reading from digital transmission. These modes are now defining each other and their continuity is emerging. While physical objects convey conceptual works these physical objects are now virtualized. In stead of collecting concepts in objects, we are now collecting concepts in concepts. Do these contradictions, contradict, or is there a larger matrix of the transmission of information and knowledge? This is a question for a librarian.

The key word is continuity. Growth of use driven demand for digital access is exemplified by exciting developments in routine inter library loan. There will be a continuing demand for a few primary research items unique to the library while the bulk of the collections will never be converted for digital reading. Between these certainties are the use driven conversions, query by query, providing universal access to an apparent digital library. Sustaining this illusion is the continuing role of the physical source original.

"This position (advocating full informational capture) brings us back to the source documents themselves as the focal point for conversion decisions -- not current users' needs, current service objectives, current technical capabilities, or current visions of what the future may hold. By placing the document at the center of digital imaging initiatives, we provide a touchstone against which to measure all other variables. In the rapidly changing technological and information environment, the original document is the least changeable -- by defining requirements against it, we can hope to control the circumstances under which digital imaging can satisfy current objectives and meet future needs."

from Chapman, Stephan and Kenney, Anne, Digital Conversion of Research Library Materials: A Case for Full Informational Capture" D-Lib Magazine, October, 1996.

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