The following criteria have been selected to verify whether or not the ‘digital library’ conforms to the Digital Library Reference Model from the Functionality domain point of view.
MANDATORY
Regardless of the type of Functionality a ‘digital library’ is conceived for, it meets at least the following criteria:
The Digital Library must offer a clearly identified set of Functions and this can not be an empty set.
» The purpose of the DL is to offer functions, i.e., a particular processing task that can be realised on a Resource or a Resource Set as the result of an Action of a particular Actor.
» Every Function must have (identifiedBy) a unique identifier (Resource Identifier).
A Function is a Resource, thus it must be identified by a persistent identifier if it is to be distinguished from other Functions managed by the DL.
» Every Function must be performed (perform) by Actors.
DL Functions are the implementations of functions and services enabling Actors to interact with the DL.
» Every Actor must be provided with (perform) Functions to Access Resources.
The DL must implement functions to enable actors to access, e.g., discover, acquire and visualize, all types of Resources (Information Objects, Actors Profiles).
» Every Actor must be provided with (perform) Functions to Discover Resources.
Actors must be able to find the desired Information Objects, search and access not only the DL Content, but also other Actors or Functions.
» Every DL System Administrator must be provided with (perform) Functions to Manage & Configure DLS.
DL must implement functions for handling the DLS and configuring its settings.
RECOMMENDED
Additionally, a Digital Library should meet the following criteria:
DL functions should exchange information with other functions regulating their behaviour and performance.
DL functionality should enable Actors to retain Resources e.g., Information Objects and Actor Profiles, in existence past their interaction with the Digital Library System.
DL should implement services enabling Actors (virtual or real) to browse the available DL content, user profiles, policies, etc.
Actors should be able to look for specific objects held within the DL by expressing queries and by entering specific keywords and constraints.
A DL should deliver to Actor the requested information using the appropriate visualizations to produce comprehensive and well-presented objects, lists and query result sets.
A DL should implement functions to handle, i.e., disseminate, publish, process, analyze and transform, the Content of the DL, i.e., Information Objects.
A DL should implement Functions to establish registered actors, personalize their preference and apply user profiles.
The DL should implement services and mechanisms to handle DL domains as a whole, e.g., Manage (import, export) all the Content of DL rather than handling each Information Object individually.
OPTIONAL
Finally, a Digital Library may meet the following criteria: