The evolution of libraries and information delivery has been an integral part of the fast paced world of technology during the past ten years. Ten years ago there was no internet, and even five years ago we at the Auburn libraries were just beginning to develop ways to integrate the internet into the total online public catalog concept we were designing. Even today access to the internet through the online public catalog and the use of web pages is non-existent in many libraries because it is so challenging to keep up with information technology and it requires tremendous investments. There are so many more options and alternatives we can now offer to the end users both in terms of information access and in content delivery. One of the areas the Auburn libraries is now beginning to evaluate and define is the area of the digitizing research collections for access. Of course, before beginning a project of this magnitude we must define why we want to digitize the collection and how we will handle the materials. We want to create a digital collection in order to provide a new entree into the collection by providing full text searching of the collection and allow easier access to the materials rather than handling fragile and sometimes very valuable materials. We can also now bring together different types of materials into one cohesive collection that will be readily available to the users without having to visit the physical collection. We must also be able to design access that will truly enhance the availability of the collections. Consideration must also be given to legal issues involved in a digitization project. Copyright issues are a major concern and can be the limiting factor in providing access to the materials. In general, published works prior to 1922, are considered in the public domain, but the 1909 copyright act provides that "unpublished works" have perpetual copyright. The 1976 copyright act provides for copyright of materials during the life of the author plus fifty years, or seventy-five years for works for hire. The new digital millennium copyright extends the copyright of materials an additional twenty years. It is clear that it is incumbent upon libraries to obtain copyright clearance for materials before accepting materials or beginning any digitization project. A by-product of a digital library project may be the preservation of the original materials while still allowing easy access to the information contained in the collection. There have been several major digital projects recently completed by research libraries which now provide access to materials never before available to the public because of the size and value of the collection. The Making of America Collection, from the University of Michigan is one such example of an important resource collection now available via the internet. It is apparent that our world of information delivery is continually facing new challenges and opportunities. Libraries have such a wealth of information in the collections, both in paper format and through internet access, and in the knowledge and abilities of the librarians and staff. We must be able to continually re-evaluate how to best provide access to the wealth of resources while still remaining sensitive to the needs and abilities of individuals. All of this opportunity to continually provide more and faster delivery of information requires that we constantly change both our methods of information delivery and the design and look of our web pages and public catalog. Both the library users and those of us providing the information are facing the same issues of managing change while still surviving the demands of continually being confronted with changes in the appearance and access to this wealth of information.
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