From the digital document to the virtual library

Abstract

Reflection on the different denominations that libraries and documents are receiving in the present moment as a consequence of technological innovations: electronic, digital or virtual documents; and electronic, digital, hybrid or virtual libraries. Both evolutions —librariesan and documents— are parallel, because it is the existence of digital-virtual documents that allows the digital-virtual library. The changes that have experienced the libraries with the appearance and development of the digital documents as part of their collection are analysed. The evolution that libraries have experienced in the last decades are considered. Such evolution has influenced decisively their functionality, services, products, etc. The different moments of this evolution will be analised, toguether with the terminology used in the specialized bibliography. Concepts expressed through terms like electronic, digital, virtual or hybrid library are used in a very broad sense, so they need a futher clarification. (Authors)