Rethinking Digital Libraries

From the Institutional Approach to the Shadow Library

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technology has made it necessary to redefine and rethink the spaces for the representation of knowledge. The library ecosystem has not been excluded from this process of transformation but rather has become a privileged space to experiment with and apply the digital convergence of knowledge processing and distribution. This contribution analyzes the challenges and opportunities offered by digital libraries through a series of case studies, ranging from the institutional approach to spontaneous initiatives like the Uncensored Library in Minecraft. These initiatives are often at the center of legal and ethical debates, highlighting how the expansion of access to knowledge may be accompanied by new critical issues, including the emergence of shadow libraries operating on the margins of legality, raising complex questions about the relationship between copyright, equity in access to resources, and freedom of information.