Electronic library has become one of the hot topics in library and
information technology fields. However the differences among electronic library,
digital library, virtual library and library without walls has confused the
professionals in the above two fields. This paper discusses electronic library
from following perspectives: origins and definitions of electronic library,
overview of content and difference between the eLib programme in UK and the
digital libraries initiative in USA, the internal and external context that
library has to face, future development for the library, and conclusion. Author
suggests that librarian should find a balance among application of information
technology, knowledge content and user's need.