Semantic integration in Iranian digital libraries: proposing a model

The main purpose of this study is presenting a conceptual model to integrate Iranian digital libraries. This research had been done in three steps. Documentary research method is used in the first step. All the related documents were made research population and content analysis techniques is used to analyze documents. Analytical survey research method is used in the second step of the research. All the active Iranian digital libraries were made the research population in this step. In fact there are 32 active digital libraries that just 26 of them participated in this study. Researcher-made questionnaire is used to collect data in this step. Finally system analyzing research method is used in the third step. Findings of the study demonstrated that elements such as technological infrastructure, Coding and identifier systems, Metadata standards, Legal and organizational issues, Semantic knowledge-based databases, and Knowledge Organizing Systems are needed in semantic integration. Also methods such as translators and making semantic relations can be used in semantic integration. Moreover tools such as ontology, knowledge organizing system, knowledgebase databases, translators, and descriptive and analytical languages should be used in semantic integration. Other findings related to Question 2 of the study showed that the studied digital libraries are not in suitable situation in covering digital materials and filling metadata fields. Also documenting metadata fields is in not good mood. Therefore there is need to strengthen all the identified weakness in order to make semantic integration ability. Finally proposed model of this study presented in three layers entitled data, inference machine, and application.