The semantic web and the digital library

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss alternative definitions of and approaches to the semantic web. It aims to clarify the relationship between the semantic web, Web 2.0 and Library 2.0. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a literature review and evaluation of systems with semantic web features. It identifies and describes semantic web projects of relevance to libraries and evaluates the usefulness of JeromeDL and other social semantic digital library systems. It discusses actual and potential applications for libraries and makes recommendations for actions needed by researchers and practitioners. Findings – The paper concludes that the library community has a lot to offer to, and benefit from, the semantic web, but there is limited interest in the library community. It recommends that there be greater collaboration between semantic web researchers and project developers, library management systems providers and the library community. Librarians should get involved in the development of semantic web standards, for example, metadata and taxonomies. Originality/value – The paper clarifies the distinction between semantic web and Web 2.0 in a digital library environment. It evaluates and predicts future developments for operational systems.