A Basis for Designing Digital Library Maturity Model: Meta-Synthesis Method Application

Building a digital library faces numerous challenges that cannot be overcome all at once. Complex phenomena like this are often pursued through maturity models. In a maturity model, the characteristics of a phenomenon are categorized into various levels, and improvements or realizations must first be achieved at each level before addressing the characteristics of the subsequent level. Based on this principle, a maturity model can also be designed for digital libraries, allowing for a more efficient and effective approach to achieving a digital library. Since no maturity model has been designed for digital libraries to date, this study presents the characteristics of digital library maturity by examining literature on digital libraries and maturity models using a qualitative approach and meta-synthesis. This provides a foundation for designing such a model. Given that the concept of digital library maturity is multi-dimensional and extensive, meta-synthesis serves as an appropriate method for a comprehensive integration of models presented in other fields with existing literature on digital libraries through interpretation and translation. In this context, 68 credible sources (38 in the field of digital libraries and 30 in the field of maturity models across various domains) were selected from available resources. Through the analysis of these sources, three categories, seven concepts, and 35 codes for the characteristics of digital library maturity were identified. Among these, previous studies emphasized the application of software/hardware systems as support and enablers of digital libraries, as well as the concept of digital library content. The identified characteristics not only create a foundation for designing a digital library maturity model but can also serve as a tool for managers of digital library projects. By utilizing these characteristics, they can assess the maturity status of their projects and plan to achieve higher levels of maturity.