Electronic Library: Yesterday, today and tomorrow

Abstract

The evolution of e-libraries (EL) is reviewed. Several definitions of the term e-library are examined. The core EL function is to build collection of arbitrarily located documents on various media. The differences between ELs and collections of digital resources are analyzed. EL types are listed. Russian electronic library systems (ELS) are characterized. The national electronic libraries (NEL) and open information archives are the main trends in EL development. The EL is the subject of e-librarianship, the newest specific discipline of the library science.