A Proposed Usage-Centered Model for a Web Based Application: Digital Library

Abstract

The growth of information technology has necessitated its application in seemingly traditional fields of human endeavours. Libraries being one of them, a digital library is a library in which collections are stored in digital formats (as opposed to print, microform, or other media) and accessible by computers. The digital content may be stored locally, or accessed remotely via computer networks. Digital libraries have hitherto been built around complex frame works and models that are costly to build. This paper presents a flexible, model driven approach for a web based digital library using the Use Case Modelling concept for the system design. This approach focuses on user interface and usability. Its simple, model driven techniques work well for novel applications and integrate readily with agile software development. A conceptual model is used to show the relationship between classes of the system. The use case model significantly reduces the complexity involved in building a system; this in turn translates to a reduction in the overhead cost incurred in system analysis and design.