Digital library is a library that uses digital technology to process and store all kinds of graphic documents, which is essentially a distributed information system for multimedia production. It uses digital technology to store various information resources in different carriers and different geographical locations, so as to facilitate cross-regional and object-oriented network query and dissemination. It involves the whole process of information resources processing, storage, retrieval, transmission and utilization. Generally speaking, the digital library is a virtual library without walls, an extensible knowledge network system based on network environment, a super-large-scale, distributed and easy-to-use knowledge center, which can realize seamless linking and intelligent retrieval across databases and is not limited by time and space.

Main features of digital library:

(1) The information storage space is small and not easy to be damaged.

Digital library stores information in digital form, usually in computer CD or hard disk, which occupies a smaller area than paper materials in the past. Moreover, in the past, a big problem in library management was that the materials would be worn out after repeated access, and some originally precious materials were difficult for ordinary readers to see. Digital libraries avoid this problem.

(2) Information retrieval is convenient.

The digital library is equipped with a computer consulting system, and readers can get a lot of relevant information by searching for some keywords. In the past, the access to books and materials needed to go through many processes, such as searching, looking for stacks, looking for books by search number and so on. It is both troublesome and inconvenient.

(3) Remote and fast information transmission

The construction of libraries is limited. The traditional library has a fixed location, and readers often spend a lot of time on the way to the library. Digital library can use the Internet to transmit information quickly. Readers only need to log on to the website and click the mouse to see the information they want to consult in a few seconds, even though it is thousands of miles away from Qian Shan, where the library is located. This convenience is unmatched by previous libraries.

(4) The same information can be used by many people simultaneously.

As we all know, a book can only be lent to one person at a time. In the digital library, we can break through this restriction and lend a book to many people at the same time through the server, which greatly improves the utilization efficiency of information.