What is a collection?
• A collection is analogous to a folder or directory on your computer. However, unlike on your computer, the data in an SRB collection is not necessarily stored on a single BIRN rack. For example, an SRB collection may have in it data from Duke which is stored on Duke’s BIRN rack, *AND* data from Harvard which is stored on Harvard’s BIRN rack. These collections, which span multiple, disparate, geographically separate storage media are effectively what make the individual BIRN racks appear as a single data repository.
A collection is an aggregation of books or other (physical or digital) materials owned by a library. These objects are organised and catalogued in a way that shows thematic, temporal, material type or other relevance. The European Library provides access to around 250 collections of which around 150 are searchable. The rest are browse-only.
Think of a collection as a folder used to organize content – for example, skateboarding videos or mobile games. When you register, a collection is already made for you, so you can begin collecting right away. You can add any content to a collection, regardless of whether it is content you have uploaded.
