Originality/value – This review and meta-analysis is the first that focuses on analysing digital
library research that has a focus on organisational and people issues. Given the manifestos that digital
libraries are to grow into socio-technical systems that function within an organisation and society, the
subject area as a whole has also evolved over the years, with a move away from purely technical issues
towards the application, use and effectiveness issues. Therefore, it is highly likely that research into
these emerging issues will continue to grow and this review provides a preliminary overview of this
important development as well as a point of departure to highlight gaps in the literature.