A Holistic Perspective on Indigenous Digital Libraries in Taiwan

Abstract

This paper reports on the development of Taiwan indigenous digital libraries representing fourteen groups with about five hundred and two thousand indigenous people. The study reviews 50 indigenous-related projects and initiatives in the Taiwan E-learning & Digital Archives Program (TELDAP), and concludes 5 findings of Taiwan’s indigenous digital library, each demonstrates (1) the main constructors and their disciplines and professional backgrounds; (2) the models for indigenous community participation and engagement in digitization; (3) the characteristics of digital collection development; (4) the design and interoperability of metadata for digitized collections; (5) the access to the indigenous digital library. The main contribution of the study is to provide a regional depth exploration of Taiwan indigenous digital libraries using systematic approach, which will help establishing and linking a more comprehensive global indigenous digital library.