Michael Lesk
Author of Understanding Digital Libraries
About the Author
Michael Lesk has put his computer expertise to work helping libraries and other institutions with digital computer technology. Lesk's ties to the computer world really began in the 1960s; he did retrieval code work for the SMART project while acquiring a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics. In the 1970s he show more helped the Unix computer processing project come to life, providing input into creating word processing, networking, and other features. The following decade Lesk ran a research group at Bellcore and focused on computer-format dictionary and geographic programs. In the 1990s Lesk centered on chemistry computer applications. He helped organize OCLC and other online Internet search engines. Along the way, Michael Lesk also worked with the Commission of Preservation and Access concerning digital preservation; his journeys in the broad computer field have included stops in New York, Massachusetts, and London. As visitor professor in computer science at London's University College, Lesk also serves as the division director of the information and intelligent systems wing of the National Science Foundation. In 1994, Usenix awarded Lesk The Flame, its lifetime achievement award. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Works by Michael Lesk
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Understanding Digital Libraries, Second Edition (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Multimedia and Information Systems) by Michael Lesk
In Understanding Digital Libraries, Michael Lesk explains a new method of distribution and preservation in a dry, informative, even-handed and almost academic fashion. His book, while unlikely to capture the imagination of the average layperson, is a reasonably successful textbook, which might be of interest to students and professionals alike.
If I had to lobby a complaint against the book it would be that the book does not always delve deep enough into its topics. The book is an excellent show more primer, but I often felt that I had only a cursory idea of the subjects it explained rather than then a genuine understanding. For example after reading Understanding Digital Libraries’ chapter on knowledge representation schemes, I have a basic of idea of XML’s function in representing data on the web; however, I wouldn’t be able to use it myself.
Of course, this deficiency in the book is merely a result of its purpose, not a fault in execution. As an introductory text, it is perfectly functional. However, for someone looking to work with digital libraries in the field it will almost certainly need to be supplemented by other books. show less
If I had to lobby a complaint against the book it would be that the book does not always delve deep enough into its topics. The book is an excellent show more primer, but I often felt that I had only a cursory idea of the subjects it explained rather than then a genuine understanding. For example after reading Understanding Digital Libraries’ chapter on knowledge representation schemes, I have a basic of idea of XML’s function in representing data on the web; however, I wouldn’t be able to use it myself.
Of course, this deficiency in the book is merely a result of its purpose, not a fault in execution. As an introductory text, it is perfectly functional. However, for someone looking to work with digital libraries in the field it will almost certainly need to be supplemented by other books. show less
Understanding Digital Libraries, Second Edition (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Multimedia Information and Systems) by Michael Lesk
Interesting book about the history, present, and future of digital libraries, but I probably wouldn't be reading it from cover to cover if it wasn't assigned material.
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