Digital libraries often have a much more comprehensive and diversified collection that IR's do. In this way they are much closer to the traditional "library." Depending on the scale and scope of the collection, digital libraries can provide an impressive depth of information from the comfort of your own home. It is now possible to view actual pictures and scans of antique artifacts that you would have to travel hundreds, if not thousands of miles to see. However, most of these organizations require extensive funding and support to stay afloat. Creating a digital library can be challenging, but it is a resource that is worth building.
While institutional repositories don't provide the same depth and breadth of collection variety, they provide a unique information source. Depending on goals of the repository, there will be a unique collection of research papers and scholarly works. IR's are often based on a subject area such as science, mathematics, technology, and humanities, however, IR's may cover a very broad knowledge base, again depending on the goals of the repository. IR's also provide a unique opportunity to preserve the heritage and history of an institution, particularly a college or university.
Digital libraries and IR's are unique resources that provide the opportunity to share specialized knowledge with a community of digital scholars. It is vitally important that both of these resources continue to grow and develop for future users and scholars.
It is also a uniquely convenient aspect of digital libraries to create multiple partnerships with other organizations, sharing information or starting initiatives together. Partnerships between digital libraries, which have the staff and technology capable of producing digital representations, and traditional libraries/other institutions, which provide the source material for digitization, make these institutions able to assist each other in regard to funding and access.
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