Library Hi Tech

A study on next-generation digital library using context-awareness technology

Younghee Noh
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Younghee Noh, (2013),"A study on next-generation digital library using context-awareness technology", Library Hi Tech,
Vol. 31 Iss 2 pp. 236 - 253
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LHT
31,2 A study on next-generation digital
library using context-awareness
technology
236
Younghee Noh
Department of Library and Information Science, Konkuk University, Chungju,
Received 1 February 2013
Revised 12 February 2013 South Korea
Accepted 26 February 2013
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Abstract
Purpose This study seeks to examine the concepts of context, context-awareness, and
context-awareness technology needed for applying context-awareness technology to the
next-generation of digital libraries, and proposed context-aware services that can be applied to any
situation by illustrating some library contexts.
Design/methodology/approach The paper investigated both theoretical research and case
analysis studies before suggesting a service model for context-awareness-based libraries by
examining the context, context-awareness, and context-awareness technology in depth.
Findings This paper derived possible library services which could be provided if
context-awareness services are implemented by examining and analyzing case studies and systems
constructed in other fields. A library-applied context-aware system could recognize users entering the
library and provide optimal services tailored to each situation for both new and existing users. In
addition, the context-awareness-based library could provide context-awareness-based reference
services, context-awareness-based loan services, and cater to other user needs in the stacks, research
space, and a variety of other information spaces. The context-awareness-based library could also
recognize users in need of emergency assistance by detecting the users behavior, movement path, and
temperature, etc. Comfort or climate-control services could provide the user with control of the
temperature, humidity, illumination and other environmental elements to fit the circumstances of
users, books, and instruments through context-aware technology.
Practical implications Next-generation digital libraries apply new concepts such as semantic
retrieval, real-time web, cloud computing, mobile web, linked data, and context-awareness.
Context-awareness-based libraries can provide applied context-awareness access service, reactive
space according to the users access, applied context-awareness lobbies, applied context-awareness
reference services, and applied context-awareness safety services, context-awareness-based comfort
services and so on.
Originality/value Real instances of libraries applying context-aware technology are few,
according to the investigative results of this study. The study finds that the next-generation digital
library using context-awareness technology can provide the best possible service for the convenience
of its users.
Keywords Context-aware computing, Next-generation digital libraries, Ubiquitous library,
Context-awareness technology, Intelligent space, Sensor, Libraries, Information systems
Paper type Research paper

Library Hi Tech
Vol. 31 No. 2, 2013 The author wants to thank Michael Seadle and Elke Greifeneder (the journal editors), and
pp. 236-253 anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful and constructive comments that helped to improve
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
this paper. The author would also like to thank Patricia Ladd for editing this article into fluent
DOI 10.1108/07378831311329031 American English.
 1. Introduction A next-
Context-aware computing is one aspect of ubiquitous computing and is therefore a generation
necessary technical element to creating a ubiquitous service environment. Ubiquitous
computing offers a variety of services through the interaction between all types of digital library
technology, anytime, anywhere, through any form of network, so streamlined that
users need not even recognize the existence of the computer, communication, access
method, or content. Context-aware computing is also designed to detect and recognize 237
the specific circumstances of a particular user to better provide the appropriate
information, knowledge, and content service associated with the users task, and then
process the information at his request and immediately express the processing results
through his chosen device.
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Therefore, it is necessary to understand context-awareness in order to fully realize a

ubiquitous library environment because it is a core concept for the next-generation of
digital libraries or Library 3.0. Context-awareness is one of the core aspects of the idea of
intelligent space, and has become one of the most useful techniques to provide personalized
and automated service. The computer must be aware of the users current situation, such
as the users inputted commands, behavior, voice, model information of the machine used
to access the system, location, language, and any changes in these circumstances.
Hartmann (2010) divided the broad concept of users context into two separate categories:
user context and environment context. First, user context represents the wide range of
contextual information described by the user and describing the user. Second, the
environmental context is the contextual information that relates to the users current state,
such as location or time zone, which cannot be described within the users context.
Context-aware computing services are currently being provided in a variety of fields
such as museums, libraries, and health centers by combining and using cameras,
computers, and various sensors. Lee (2012) insisted that context-awareness can also be
applied to book status information (identifying a books location and providing
guidance service by applying Augmented Reality technology, identifying and guiding
books in the process of acquisition or moving), book content information, My Library
management services, information about the library building and space, whether or not
e-book loan is available, and cooperation with related agencies.
Advances in information technology make it possible to predict and identify in
advance the resources and information desired by the user based on the users
situation, and to provide context-awareness-based library services that the user wants,
when the user wants. This seamless use of technology, providing the information and
services desired by users by combining the users internal and external contextual
information such as users preferences, history, behavior, and the current time and
place in an optimized environment, will be the future of the next-generation of digital
libraries. This study examined the concepts of context, context-awareness, and
context-awareness technology needed for applying context-awareness technology to
the next-generation of digital libraries, and proposed context-aware services that can
be applied to any situation by illustrating some library contexts.

2. Theoretical background
2.1 Context-awareness technology
The next generation of digital library embraces the notion of the ubiquitous library,
and context-awareness is one of the emerging technologies necessary for its
 LHT implementation. Context-aware computing technology is a system designed to search
31,2 and provide the services that users require in their current situation by analyzing and
identifying the available contextual information (the current situation of the user) such
as the users current location, time, people and devices in the vicinity, and the users
behavior and inputted data. This contextual information can be identified by analyzing
data collected from numerous sensors. Location based services (LBS) are a well-known
238 field of applied context-aware computing technology.
1) Definition of context and context-awareness. Contextual information is clearly the
most necessary data required for context-awareness technology to function properly,
and time and place are the most well-known and well-used examples of this data. In
addition to these, there are many other pieces of contextual data that are not as
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obvious. Abowd et al. (1999) insisted that the users context can be divided into 5W1H,
which is a shorthand for Who, What, Where, When, How, and Why. To apply this
concept to the contextual information of library access, Who is recognized and
identified by using the personal information stored on users portable memory, or
weight sensors installed in the floor, when they access the library. What is
recognized by using the sensor signals and the spatial information attached to the
system components. Where is needed to identify the location of the user with sensors
attached to the object which the user is carrying or with weight sensors, and by
analyzing the signals of the sensors attached to objects. When is used to create a
personalized user environment by utilizing the stored user information after
recognizing and storing the time the user entered the building. How recognizes the
users actions by processing the image information sensed by cameras. Why
recognizes the users behavior by using 4W 1H (Who, What, Where, When, How), to
use context information to give users control over the information technology with
certain pre-set gestures.
Schilit et al. (1994), who first introduced the terminology and definitions for
context-awareness, divided contexts into three categories: computing context
information such as resources in the vicinity (including network connectivity,
communication costs, communication bandwidth), user context information (including
the user profile, location, and current social situation), and physical context
information (including lighting, noise levels, traffic conditions and so on). On the other
hand, Chen and Kotz (2000) defined and separated context-awareness into proactive
context-awareness and passive context-awareness. Proactive context-awareness is
configuring the system to automatically execute an action associated with a new
situation or occurring changes in the situation, while passive context-awareness
provides the users with the ability to react to new situations or changes by maintaining
information for the user for subsequent retrieval.
Data that is used to recognize context is classified into five categories:
(1) the users context and environment;
(2) the physical context and environment;
(3) the computing system environment;
(4) the human-computer interaction history; and
(5) accident situations (see Table I).

Category
Users context
Physical context and environment
Computing system environment
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A next-
Contents
generation
Identity context (ID, Name) digital library
Body context (pulse, blood pressure, body temperature,
voice)
Spatial context (location, direction, speed)
Time context (date, time, season) 239
Environmental context (temperature, humidity,
illumination, noise)
Activity context (adjacent, behavioral, schedule)
Resource context (battery, display, internet, systems)

Availability context (resources, equipment, facilities)

Human-computer interaction history
Accident situations
Access context (users, permitted information, adjacency)
History context (users, services, hours)
Disability context (time, user, service)
Safety context (collision, fire, bruises, abrasions, fractures) Table I.
Disaster context (storms, hurricanes, heavy rain, heavy Categories of data for
snow, drought, earthquakes, volcanoes) recognizing context

2) The process of context-awareness. The process of context-awareness is similar to

human communication, and is divided into the steps of perception, analysis, and
execution states. The process adapts to the place of use, the environment, objects, and
the recognized users circumstances and environment, etc., and continues to adapt
during the entire process to provide context-aware services appropriate to users (see
Figure 1).
The purpose of the perception step is to acquire information about the user. The
collection method for this data is to communicate with devices that have stored
previous information about the user and the environment, or acquiring the data
directly through the use of sensors. Users contextual information may be collected by
user modeling or through direct input from the user.
During the analysis step, the data previously collected is analyzed within a logical
structure. In this stage, the system uses the data obtained from multiple sensors to
determine the overall state of the target information, and stores the information
collected to provide intelligent services based on the analyzed results.
The action step recognizes the behavior that users want by analyzing the situation and
state of the target environment, thus determining an appropriate behavior for the user. In
this way, context-awareness services that fit the users need are intelligently executed.
3) Context-aware sensor environments and configuration. Context-awareness
sensors should be installed by considering the environment and characteristics of the
space, and configured to ensure user-centric service. The first stage of information
gathering is done through the sensors, and they should not make the user feel any
discomfort or reluctance even if they are introduced into the space of the physical
Figure 1.
Process of
context-awareness
 LHT environment. Sensors should be selected and installed to best suit the function and
31,2 purpose of the system and its users. There are numerous different kinds of sensors
designed to pick up different kinds of data such as: dynamics sensors, electrical
sensors, temperature sensors, light sensors, acoustic sensors, frequency sensors,
humidity sensors, chemical sensors, biosensors, information sensors, etc.
For example, sensors that recognize and collect environmental information can be
240 divided into environmental-sensing and location-sensing. Chemical sensors, optical
sensors, and temperature sensors are required for collecting data about the
environment, and dynamics sensors, magnetic sensors, and intelligent sensors are
required for sensing data about the location.
Chemical sensors detect and identify complex chemicals by using sensitized
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material, the affinity of the membrane surface, and absorptive and catalytic tests.
Targets for sensing are classified into physical and chemical stimuli.
An optical sensor changes light into electrical signals by detecting the presence or
absence of an object, whether it is large or small in size, and the shading of the object or
its environment, which the sensor is able to do without contact by observing the
difference of reflected light given off the target object, as well as radiation and shading.
Thermal energy can be converted into electrical signals and some thermal energy
should then be passed to sensors, in order that temperature sensors can detect the
current air temperature. Temperature sensing should also be able to perceive if the
temperature is rising or falling, and can include both contact and non-contact sensors.
A dynamics sensor is used for detecting the location of objects or users, and must be
able to sense both the physical shape of an object or user as well as its motion. Dynamic
sensors generally gather data when force or manipulation is applied physically to the
sensor. Magnetic sensors measure magnetic fields including their size and direction.
The magnetic sensor is acting as an intermediary that changes the magnetic field into
an electrical signal, or converts a non-magnetic signal into an electrical signal.
Intelligent sensors change the physical or chemical phenomena in the environment into
electrical signals. In addition, they have logic control functions, communication
functions, and judgment capabilities.
4) Context-awareness services. Context-aware services meet the needs of the user by
taking into account the users specific situation, such as the users location or
environment. It is an intelligent, adaptive service that adjusts to suit the users need
and current environment by collecting and analyzing both the information that the
user enters and the users contextual information.
Many types of services could use context-aware technology including: safety
services, (convenience service, comfort service, leisure service), health services,
information services, or social services.
Context-aware technology could serve many functions and be used for many
different purposes, including safety, health, and information, as well as in social and
leisure fields.
Such a system could easily be configured with the capability of warning the public
about accidents or disasters and providing necessary information to assure public
safety in such a situation. Health services could also be provided to individual users
through context-aware technology, using location information and biometric data
collected by sensors. Many varieties and degrees of information services could also be
accessed in this way, as well as social interaction and community-building, since it
 could very well take place within the very spaces where people build relationships. A next-
Context-aware technology can be used to identify an individuals needs or desires and generation
then provide personalized service at their convenience. Towards this aim, the
environment can be manipulated by users for their comfort through the networking of digital library
intelligent devices. Whether this technology is used professionally or for leisure, it
gives users the ability to conveniently control their environment.
241
2.2 Next generation digital library
This study discusses context-awareness as one of the technologies for building the
next-generation of digital libraries. However, other concepts such as ontologies, the
semantic web, ubiquitous computing, and Linked Data should also be included for the
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next generation of digital library.

Guha (2006) argued that information which users are seeking is highly dependent
on the context of the semantic retrieval, and researched annotated bibliography, user
annotation, and information delivery based on domain ontology. He built a semantic
digital library service at the schema and ontology level, but he suggested that future
research expand on interoperability at the service level.
Oh and Won (2007) defined the Social Semantic Digital Library (SSDL) as consisting
of an ontology system and supporting user participation and collaboration. They
present the key points and an architectural model required for these digital libraries,
and separated SSDLs core needs into structural requirements and functional
requirements. Functional requirements include providing semantic-based service,
offering a variety of access points, supporting collective intellectual activity, and
efficient management of information resources, while structural requirements include
modularity, semantic-based networking, resources, and copyright protection. In
addition, they presented architectural models that are composed of a storage layer,
management layer, parameters layer, representation layer, and a user participation
layer for implementing the SSDL
Alotaibi (2010) discussed the concept of the Social Semantic Digital Library while
analyzing the stages of library development, and studied the integration of the librarys
collaborative and social aspects. Kruk et al. tried to determine the realities of the SSDL
(Kruk et al., 2007). In the study, they analyzed how semantic web and social
networking technologies can help to improve digital library services. In addition, they
tried to draw a variety of services based on the above techniques through the structural
presentation of the SSDL.
As implied above, SSDL is a library which applies the concepts of Web 3.0 including
user participation, ubiquitous computing, and the Linked Web. Therefore, SSDL can be
called Library 3.0, and also an appearance of the next generation of digital library.
These next-generation digital libraries apply new concepts such as semantic
retrieval, real-time web, cloud computing, mobile web, Linked Data, and
context-awareness (Noh, 2012).These libraries information resources are structured
based on ontology, connected with worldwide library resources, allow for the
possibility of semantic search, and realize the complete mobile library. The following
Table II is a comparison of the versions derived through the analysis of concept
definitions and research papers on Library 1.0, Library 2.0, and Library 3.0.
We represent graphically Library 3.0 generation evolution by analyzing various
papers about Library 3.0 and Table II. The result is shown in Figure 2 (Noh, 2012).
 Downloaded by UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA At 01:13 16 March 2017 (PT)

31,2

242
LHT

Table II.

and Library 3.0

Library 1.0, Library 2.0
Division Library 1.0 Library 2.0 Library 3.0

Period 1990 , 2005 2006 , 2010 2010 , 2020

Interaction Single echo, one-sided Bi-directional, public Personalized, customized
Related technologies MARC RSS, WIKI, BLOG, Ajax, Flikr, Tagging, Semantic search
HTML Podcast, Bookmark, Mash-up, Toolbar etc. Ontology
Mobile Technology
Semantic technology, artificial intelligence,
context-awareness, Cloud computing
Keywords Publication Participation, sharing, and openness Semantic web, metadata, and ontologies
Providing information Library-centric production Reproduction through user participation Machine meets user needs
Accumulation centered
Information consumption Read Read, write Read, write, execute
Information users Human Human Human, machine
Information powers Closed, centralized Popularized, centralized Decentralization
Librarian-centric User-centric (Screening only the information required)
Dispersion of power between users
Corresponding terminal PC PC, Mobile PC, Mobile, iPad, Accessory like a watch, etc.
Knowledge structure MARC MARCXML, MODS FRBR
Metadata DOI Identification system Ontology
XML/RDF Technology the object of Semantic structure
 A next-
generation
digital library

243
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Figure 2.
Development history of
Library 3.0

2.3 Related research

The available research about context-awareness can be separated into the research
about context-aware technology and its development, research pertaining to applying
context-aware technology, and cases of developing a context-awareness system.
Applied context-awareness technology for mobile users has been demonstrated in a
large number of fields, including fieldwork (Kortuem et al., 1999; Pascoe et al., 1998),
museums (Fleck et al., 2002; Lassila and Adler, 2003), route planning (Marmasse and
Schmandt, 2002), libraries (Aittola et al., 2003) and tourism (Long et al., 1996;
Laukkanen et al., 2002).
As for developing context-aware systems, Gu et al. (2004) have developed a
service-oriented context-aware middleware (SOCAM) architecture which can be used
for building context-aware services. Their model is based on ontology using OWL and
focuses on many context issues including semantic representation, classification,
knowledge sharing, dependency, and quality. This model is most useful in its ability to
visualize many varied and different contexts for study.
In 2004, the Chen research team developed context broker architecture (CoBrA) a
new architecture for supporting context-aware systems in smart spaces. CoBrAs
architecture uses semantic web languages in various ways, including describing and
publishing context ontology, context information sharing, and fully utilizing that
information. The concept of a broker agent is an important piece of this architecture;
it uses a shared context model for all of the computing devices in the system, and is
designed to enforce privacy policies given to it by the user as well as all devices. The
Chen team also described the use of CoBrA for prototyping intelligent meeting rooms.
 LHT Another system, Gaia (Gaia, 2013), developed by the University of Illinois at
31,2 Urbana-Champaign, is designed to act as an operating system does for a computer, but
in a physical space. It supports many functions common to a more traditional
operating system, such as file systems, events, signals, security, as well as processes
and process groups. However, the system also uses location awareness, mobile
computing devices and other physical environment features like door locks and light
244 switches. Gaias team is currently researching how to build generic applications that
make no assumptions about a space or its hardware and will therefore be able to work
with many different space set-ups and resources. For now, Gaia is deployed in a
prototype room which contains an audio system with 5.1 programmable surround
sound, five plasma panels, HDTV, webcams, tablet PCs, X10 devices, IR beams,
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Bluetooth capability, wireless Ethernet, fingerprinting devices, iris scanners, smart

phones, RF badges, and Ubisense location technology.
Another aspect of ubiquitous computing is the URC or Ubiquitous Robotic
Companion, which functions as a service robot with a network base. This base expands
the robots abilities and services through the use of sensor networks and remote
computing. Through this network, the robot can provide services any time and place,
but the system requires extensive hardware and software infrastructures such as
ubiquitous networks, sensor networks and powerful servers. Kim, Cho, and Oh
introduced a software infrastructure that could be used to support these robots called
CAMUS (Context-Aware Middleware for URC System), which is based on the CoBrA
technology. The software uses common data models for different kinds of context
information acquired from the environment by sensors, applications, and the users
themselves. It is also able to gather, interpret, and distribute this contextual
information as needed. A proposed programming language, fittingly called
programming language for ubiquitous environment (PLUE) could be used to
describe context-aware services for these robots. Both MARKS (Sharmin et al., 2006)
and RCSM (Yau et al., 2002) emphasize the importance of communication and
knowledge usability and sharing in this field as context-aware systems for the
ubiquitous computing environment continue to be developed.
Location-based data delivery has been addressed by other teams, including the
GUIDE project (Davies et al., 1999) and the Mobile Shadow Project (MSP) (Fischmeister
et al. 2002). The MSP in particular uses agents to map the physical context onto the
virtual one. The Ambience project (2004) adopted a different approach to the issue by
focusing on creating not a physical, but a digital environment that could be aware of a
users presence and context and respond accordingly. Other fields are also researching
context-aware applications, especially in computer science where mobile computing,
wearable computing, augmented reality, ubiquitous computing, and human-computer
interaction are ongoing research topics.
Context-aware technology that utilizes the semantic web is also currently an area of
great interest. For instance, the Konti Project is developing ontology for describing the
required properties for creating contextual profiles (Toivonen et al., 2003). Chen et al.
(2004) also used semantic web technologies for context modeling and reasoning.
Related to all of this work is the notion of information retrieval based on context, the
context-aware browser, mobile services, and Web 2.0. These aspects have been
addressed by Mizzaro and Vassena (2011), who proposed proactive context-aware web
contents retrieval as well as mobile access to web services using contextual data to
 capture available, relevant information and the users dynamic needs. Such a scheme is A next-
realistically useful for the mobile user navigating real-world environments. Using this generation
framework, Mizzaro and Vassena developed social context-aware browser (SCAB), a
context-aware browser based on these principles. digital library

3. Research questions
In ubiquitous libraries, information flows between the physical environment and 245
objects, users can send and receive information and achieve their goals because the
space is both intelligent and interactive. In other words, ubiquitous libraries attempt to
provide more convenient service by making the librarys physical space intelligent and,
at the same time, organically linking the various aspects of this space, and
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automatically recognizing the users situation. Therefore, in context-awareness-based

ubiquitous libraries, users do not need to recognize their own situation and request
needed service, rather the system automatically recognizes users situation and
provides the services required by the user.
The implementation of such context-awareness-based ubiquitous libraries exists no
longer only in the imagination because of the development of related technologies.
Therefore, the following questions can be posed:
RQ1. Are context-aware technologies needed for implementing the ubiquitous
library?
RQ2. Are there any cases of implementing context-awareness-based libraries
domestically or internationally?
RQ3. Has there been any research about services that context-awareness-based
libraries can provide domestically or internationally?
RQ4. What kind of services would be available, if context-awareness-based
libraries were implemented?
Answers to these research questions can be found through the investigation of
theoretical research and case analysis studies, after which we can suggest a service
model for context-awareness-based libraries by looking at the context,
context-awareness, and context-awareness technology in depth.

4. Results
Context-aware computing provides service to meet the needs of the users by
recognizing certain situations, such as the users location or environment. The
context-aware system provides intelligent services which are fit to the users situation
by collecting and analyzing user-entered information and contextual data. According
to previous research, context-aware services have been classified as safety services,
convenience services, comfort services, recreational services, health services,
information services, and social services. More detailed information has been
summarized in the previous study (Song, 2008).
In this paper, there are examples of context-aware services that can be used in the
library by applying these technologies. A previous study (Lee, 2012) said that
context-awareness libraries can provide book status information (identifying a books
location and providing guidance service by applying Augmented Reality technology,
 LHT identifying and guiding books in the process of acquisition or moving), book content
31,2 information, My Library management services, information about the library building
and space, whether or not e-book loan is available, and cooperation with related
agencies. However, this model only further strengthens the services currently being
offered. In this study, the context-aware services are explored in more detailed and
specific cases of their use are expounded on by dividing applied context-aware
246 technology into five proposals:
(1) Applied context-awareness access service. Access services would function in two
different ways in the context-aware library, depending on if the user entering
the intelligent space is a new or existing user. When an existing user enters the
library, the system will be able to identify them by their RFID card, and will
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provide them with information about new books based on their preferences by
analyzing all records and history with that user such as what information they
have accessed previously. When a new user enters, on the other hand, the
library system will recognize them as such because they will not have an RFID
card within the system. The context-aware library system will then introduce
the library registration process with voice or text message guidance. For these
services, sensors required to read the context are an RFID tag, RFID reader and
so on (see Figure 3).
(2) Space on/off according to the users access. This case proposes a way of
controlling the space depending on the users access. Space not in use would be
empty and without environmental effects such as lighting. However, once the
user enters a space, it will react to their presence by immediately turning on
lights, available technology, etc. Users can make their needs known to the
library when they enter, and the system will allocate the appropriate space to
meet their needs. At this time, the formerly Off space will become On space,
given the necessary furniture, information, and other materials required and
welcome the user. This model utilizes library space most efficiently even with
the complexity and variety of user requests and needs (Song, 2008) (see
Figure 4).

Figure 3.
Applied
context-awareness access
service
 A next-
generation
digital library

247
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Figure 4.
Space on/off according to
the users access

(3) Applied Context-awareness lobby. The context-aware lobby will provide

information service and direct users to their desired space or resources
through location-detecting sensors, user-detecting sensors, RFID tags, RFID
readers, infrared sensors, light sensors and so on. For example, when new users
approach the registration kiosk, the system will recognize that they are new
users through various sensors and the RFID system, and guide them through
the registration process before issuing RFID cards for them and providing the
necessary library guiding information services (see Figure 5).
(4) Applied context-awareness reference service. Reference services could also be
improved by applying context-awareness technology. For example, let us
assume that a user is looking for employment-related books, but the user cannot
easily select one because of the many different types and kinds of book in this
category. To provide optimal reference service for this user, the system would
use location-recognition sensors to collect data about the users movement, the
users location, and the time the user spent at a specific location. If the user stays
for 120 seconds (the specific time used could be set depending on library policy)
in the job-related corner, the library system would recognize that the user is
seeking employment-related books, and send to the users smartphone a list of
which books in this subject area that are on the shelf sorted by number of times
previously loaned and publication date (see Figure 6).
(5) Applied context-awareness safety service. Safety services are provided via
location-aware sensors that can identify the users location, behavior, and
activity. Location-aware sensors can help the user cope with dangerous
situations by detecting people and determining their movement through the
intelligent space. For example, let us assume that the user fell to the floor
unconscious in a corner of the stacks. The library system collects information
such as the users location, movement, and body temperature by using
location-aware sensors and infrared sensors. If the library system detects any
 LHT
31,2

248
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Figure 5.
Applied
context-awareness lobby

Figure 6.
Applied
context-awareness
reference service

user who does not move from the floor after more than 30 seconds, the system
sends a message alerting library personnel to the situation (see Figure 7).

In addition, context-awareness-based comfort services control the librarys interior

climate to suit the books and users needs through temperature control, humidity
control, light dimming, and so on (see Table III).
 A next-
generation
digital library

249

Figure 7.
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Applied
context-awareness safety
service

Classification Functions

Safety Safety Disaster Fire detection, gas valve automatic shutoff, leak
blocking, automatic window locks
Medical Emergency contact, emergency call, emergency
response
Theft Crime Intrusion detection, anti-theft systems, automatic
door locks, automatic window locks
Access control Entrance biometric control, visitor monitoring,
library entrance and exit control
Comfort Environmental control Automatic ventilation, automatic lights, automatic
air-conditioning, automatic air cleaner, illumination Table III.
control, lighting systems on / off, motorized curtain, Functions of safety and
humidity control, noise isolation comfort services

5. Discussion and future research

5.1 Discussion and implications
A ubiquitous environment is meant to encompass a context-aware computing
environment. Context-aware computing environments utilize a variety of sensors and
devices installed everywhere, handle a myriad of contextual information obtained from
these sensors and devices, and provide the most appropriate service to the users
current situation through dynamic reconfiguration. Therefore, context-aware
technology is essential to implementing the ubiquitous library. It is necessary for
the library system to gather a variety of contextual information both from inside and
outside the library and internal and external to the user, storing this information in a
massive database for future use.
Through the literature and case studies, this study investigated whether or not there
are cases in which context-aware-based library systems are implemented domestically or
internationally. It was found that context-aware technology is widely applied in various
fields already, including fieldwork, museums, route planning, tourism, and so on. A case
of applied context-aware technology in information services is the SmartLibrary, which
 LHT has been experimentally implemented to provide location-aware mobile library services
31,2 by Aittola et al. (2003). User evaluations conducted about SmartLibrary in the main
library of University of Oulu showed that SmartLibrary helped library users find books
more easily in comparison to conventional shelf classification. However, the
context-awareness services presented by SmartLibrary have limitations in that they
only focus on making the existing functions of the mobile library more convenient.
250 Therefore, it can be concluded that there has not been much research or many case studies
pertaining to context-awareness-based libraries worldwide. Diverse studies still must be
performed: determining which context-awareness services can be applied to the library
setting, studying many different contextual cases which occur within the libraries,
constructing context-awareness-based libraries, and evaluating their performance.
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On the other hand, we can derive possible library services which can be provided if
context-awareness services are implemented by examining and analyzing the cases and
systems constructed in other fields. A library-applied context-aware technology could
recognize users entering the library, and provide optimal services tailored to each
situation for both new and existing users. In addition, the context-awareness-based
library could provide context-awareness-based reference services,
context-awareness-based loan services, and cater to other user needs in the stacks,
research space, and a variety of other information spaces. The context-awareness-based
library could also recognize users in need of emergency assistance by detecting the users
behavior, movement path, and temperature, etc. Comfort or climate-control services
could provide the user with control of the temperature, humidity, illumination and other
environmental elements to fit the circumstances of users, books, and instruments
through context-aware technology. The following figure shows the necessary
equipment, sensors, resources, databases, and available services needed for
implementing the context-awareness-based library (see Figure 8).

5.2 Future research

Real instances of libraries applying context-aware technology are few according to the
investigative results of this study. However, the technologies needed for constructing

Figure 8.
Structure of the
context-awareness-based
library
 these kinds of libraries have already been developed. This study found that many A next-
systems applying context-awareness technologies have already been developed in generation
non-library areas. By applying these technologies to the library, the library will
provide the best possible service for the convenience of its users by monitoring and digital library
guiding them. From the moment users step through the librarys doors, the library
needs to recognize each users requirements and provide the information and services
that the individual users want, rather than attempt to create a universal service to fit all 251
users. These services must be provided without the users notice or discomfort.
Therefore, in the future, studies should be done for actually applying context-aware
technology to the library and estimating users satisfaction with it. The library should
constantly evolve based on these studies.
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6. Conclusions
This study is based on applying context-aware technology while envisioning the next
generation of digital library. A wide variety of technologies and sensors are needed as
well as a contextual information database in order to make these library concepts a
reality. However, sufficient research about context-awareness has already been
performed, and related technologies have already been developed. Context-awareness
systems are already implemented in other fields and providing forward-looking
services, though not in the library at this time. In this study, we investigated the
concepts of context, context-awareness, and context-awareness technologies, presented
examples of situations in which context-awareness technologies can be applied, and
described the appearance of the next generation of digital library services which will
provide specific services tailored to each situation. Research to actually implement
these ideas and evaluate their performance will be carried out in following studies.

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About the author

Younghee Noh has an MA and a PhD in Library and Information Science from Yonsei
University, Seoul. She has published more than 150 books and papers, including one selected as a
Featured Article by the Informed Librarian Online in February 2012. She was listed in the
Marquis Whos Who in November 2012. Since 2004 she has been Associate Professor in the
Department of Library and Information Science at Konkuk University, where she teaches
courses in metadata, digital library, processing of internet information resources, and digital
contents. Before that she taught courses in Using information in a knowledge-based society,
Information resources in social science, and Information resources in humanities in the
Department of Library and Information Science, Yonsei University. From 1997 to 2004 she was
Head of the International Information Center, Ewha Womans University. Younghee Noh can be
contacted at: irs4u@kku.ac.kr

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