Salam guys,
I have been thinking for quite some time, what is digital library and what is institutional repository? How are they differs from each other? So, i come out with a quick research and found this in wikipedia :-
1) "A digital library is a library in which collections are stored in digital formats (as opposed to print, microform, or other media) and accessible by computers. The digital content may be stored locally, or accessed remotely via computer networks. A digital library is a type of information retrieval system." - taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_library
and
2) "An Institutional Repository is an online locus for collecting, preserving, and disseminating -- in digital form -- the intellectual output of an institution, particularly a research institution.
For a university, this would include materials such as research journal articles, before (preprints) and after (postprints) undergoing peer review, and digital versions of theses and dissertations, but it might also include other digital assets generated by normal academic life, such as administrative documents, course notes, or learning objects." - taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institutional_repository
So, from the above definition i can say that the different between DL(DIGITAL LIBRARY) and IR(INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORY) is depends on its contents and its purpose. When it comes to the large community we use DL and as for smaller community we use IR. Let me give an example, In Malaysia, we have libraries, so whenever you want to digitize all the books/newspapers/magazines/journals/articles etc and put it online we call it DL. However, universities/colleges/institutional etc may develop an IR for their thesis/paper work/journals/articles etc.
Haven't said that, both DL and IR shares the main development purpose that is to preserve the digital assets and to make it accessible by the targeted user. Thus, you can call it either DL or IR and its still means the same (well, at least to me).
:)
