In an age defined by the uninterrupted flow of information, digital libraries have emerged as dynamic platforms that extend far beyond the traditional notions of storing, managing, and retrieving resources. They have evolved into living ecosystems—integrating advanced technologies, supporting interactive knowledge creation, promoting accessibility, and fostering innovation in education, research, and society at large.

This book, Digital Libraries and Emerging Technologies, represents the collective efforts of scholars, practitioners, and researchers who share a common interest in exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping the design, functionality, and impact of digital libraries. The chapters assembled here cover a wide spectrum of perspectives, ranging from conceptual frameworks and technological infrastructures to case studies, applications, and user-centered practices.

The multi-author nature of this book ensures diversity in voices and expertise. Contributors have drawn upon their unique academic, professional, and cultural backgrounds to shed light on critical themes such as artificial intelligence, semantic web, big data, cloud computing, blockchain, augmented and virtual reality, as well as the challenges of digital preservation, interoperability, open science, and information ethics. Together, these contributions illustrate the convergence of technology and librarianship, while also posing critical questions on inclusivity, sustainability, and the human dimensions of digital transformation.

The rapid pace of technological change necessitates ongoing inquiry, experimentation, and adaptation. We therefore see this volume not as a conclusion, but as a starting point—a foundation upon which newer developments, practices, and policies will continue to be built. It is our hope that this book will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, students, library professionals, and technology enthusiasts who seek to understand, analyze, and contribute to the future of digital libraries in a technology-driven world.

We, the editors, are deeply grateful to all contributing authors for their scholarship, commitment, and creativity, as well as to the institutions and communities that have supported this endeavor. We also thank the readers, who through their engagement, discussion, and application, will ultimately give this book its fullest meaning.