Applying Zachman Framework to determine the content of semantic theses digital library

Digital library brought a high impact fenomena as it contributes a lot in term of new way in dealing with knowledge. Bazillion (2001) stated that libraries built after 1995 have a different look and feel that defines “intelectual information centers” where people and technology interact. Most scholars believed that the way knowledge been created and disseminated fundamentally were altered by a series of innovation begins by Michael S. Hart, with his Gutternberg´s invention as the first producer of free electronic books in 1971 (Bazillion, 2001). Apart from being the oldest digital library developed, Project Gutternberg also works as a catalyst in rapid development of multiple kind of digital libraries nowadays. Since then, digital library plays a vital role in supporting academia activities including creation, organization, preservation and dissemination of knowledge. As part of the extensive development and deployment of digital libraries initiatives over the past decades, attention should be drawn to its massive growth in content design and storage capacity. This study proposed a framework to determine the content of a semantic theses digital library based on the Zachman Framework data dimension. Six artifacts in Zachman Framework which are Data, Process, Place, People, Time and Motivation are applied to represent six layers of semantic digital library architecture. Twenty-four online theses collection of public and private institutions of higher learning in Malaysia were selected for data collection and further evaluation. A framework which is more robust, offers user friendly interface besides adaptable search and browsing interface empowered by semantic can lead to a comprehensive and fully utilized theses digital library that support users, both as information producers and as information users.