A data model for digital libraries

We present a data model for digital libraries supporting identification, de- scription and discovery of digital objects. The model is formalized as a first-order theory, certain models of which correspond to the intuitive and practical notion of digital library. We use the model as a yardstick to assess the adequacy of the World Wide Web as a digital library and show why, in its present form, the Web is far from fulfilling this objective, while the Semantic Web does better in that respect.