Purpose -To describe how semantic knowledge technology can be used to enhance a digital library. Design -The paper examines the main research challenges in the field of digital libraries and identifies the extent to which semantic knowledge technology can be used to respond to these challenges. Functionality developed within the SEKT project (http://sekt.semanticweb.org) is used to enhance an existing digital library. The development of a good ontology is central to such an application, and the paper describes the particular ontology engineering approach adopted. Findings -Four broad challenges were identified: achieving interoperability; describing objects and repositories; managing multimedia collections; and improving user interfaces and human-computer interaction. The SEKT digital library case study is using semantic knowledge technology to respond to the first two and the last of these. The paper describes how this is being done and the kind of enhanced functionality being developed. Originality/value -The paper is of value in understanding how semantic knowledge technology can enhance information management in general and a digital library in particular.

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Purpose-This paper describes the application of semantic knowledge technology to a case study in intelligent content management, specifically the BT digital library. The intention is to test the technology being developed within semantically-enabled knowledge technology (SEKT) and provide feedback to the development process. This will verify the viability of our technology and verify that we are using semantic knowledge technology to satisfy the real requirements of users. The case study will also serve as a shop window for the technology. Design/methodology/approach-During the initial stage of the project, user requirements were collected by means of a questionnaire and also an in-depth focus group. Combined with a study of the existing literature on digital libraries, this enabled an enhanced digital library system to be designed using SEKT technologies. Findings-Work so far has verified that semantic knowledge technologies can be used to enhance the value of digital libraries. During the later stages of the SEKT project detailed trials will enable the SEKT functionality to be fine-tuned for the precise needs of users. Practical implications-To be of value, semantic knowledge technologies must take into account the needs and behaviour of users. For example, a strong lesson from our focus group was that users wish to feel in control of the technology. Originality/value-The paper illustrates how semantic knowledge technology can be used in a specific application. This application is valuable in itself, and will provide feedback to help understand how semantic knowledge technology can be used to provide user benefit in general.

Until 7994 RT o p w t c d afnirly t!/picnl l n r p caryurntc librr~ry at its researchfncility of B7' Labs ilem lpszoich. This nrticle describrs the clmnges that 2uo.e madc RS thr Library trn~~sfornied itselffroin n locntion-bawd srrzlicr f o nn clcctronic library in which its locut ion is ofsccoildnry inlportance, with irrfortnation delizwcd dirrcthy to the user'sUazlid A / s i~e y e r is lnforn~ation Seru~ccs Marlnger, BT Librnr,~,

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