Building the Collection of the National Digital Library of Kosova : Users’ Expectations

Abstract

This mixed qualitative/quantitative exploratory case study research is informed by a constructivist approach. Its aim is to identify user-based content selection criteria for the national digital library of Kosova. The study aimed at providing answers to two following objectives a) to explore expectations of experts and users about the content of a national digital library; b) to identify Library’s potential collaborative channels with other institutions within Kosova and abroad. These objectives are met using two channels of information: a) interviews with five experts in certain fields of knowledge, and; b) survey questionnaires with one hundred and eighty-eight users and potential users of the National and University Library of Kosova. This research reaches the conclusion that selection criteria are of utmost importance to a successful user-oriented national digital library. Proper content selection criteria were also considered to play a crucial role in the dissemination of Kosova’s historical and cultural heritage to the outer world. Reciprocally, it is considered as a window to Kosovars to access world’s information richness through building cooperation links with various institutions within and without the country. At the end, this research provides a few recommendations that may be useful to decisionmakers and those undertaking a national digital library initiative in Kosova. Those include recommendations about territorial scope of the collection, field and thematic coverage, language scope, document type and format, and possible collaboration links that the national digital library should build in order to provide access to proper information to its audience. Since the literature reviewed indicates that the National and University Library of Kosova does not have any selection criteria or collection development policies in place, it makes this research a unique one in Kosovar context. Therefore, this user-based research aimed at providing viable and useful information that are applicable in Kosovar context and may be transferable to a wider Albanian context in the Balkans.