Paper Details

Digital library development in India represents a paradigmatic shift from traditional custodial librarianship to networked knowledge management systems. While technological innovations have enabled the large-scale digitization, preservation, and dissemination of scholarly resources, the process of developing digital libraries requires a theoretically grounded and context-sensitive framework. This paper presents a theoretical exposition of digital library development in India, examining its conceptual foundations, philosophical underpinnings, socio-technical dimensions, policy implications, and sustainability concerns. It argues that a practical approach to digital library development must be rooted in systems theory, knowledge management principles, open access philosophy, and national information policies to ensure equitable access, long-term preservation, and academic empowerment.