The computer is generally perceived in one of two ways, as a machine, or as a medium. The machine is the historical perception, while the medium is one gathering strength as more and more users connect to a global network. Still, both definitions are entirely applicable and creating a definition of a computer using only one of these ideas is going to be unsatisfactory.
The computer was originally developed as a machine, for processing information and performing complicated algorithms quickly. In this guise, it was dubbed a computing machine, as it was not an interface for users yet, but a powerful tool for mathematicians. The idea of a computer as a machine can be seen in the naming of early computer-oriented companies, such as IBM.
In many cases the computer as purely a machine still exists, performing essential tasks for all sorts of scientists and workers. However, the idea of computers as a medium for people to access information, as well as one another is beginning to become more popular. This idea has come about as machines are only serving as a tool to link us to the work of another human being, not as a tool for creating work itself.
In the context of a digital library, either definition could plausibly be applied. The idea of a library implies a user-oriented context and would suggest the computer as more of a medium, whereas the entirely digital realm infers nearly limitless possibilities for the machine processes to enhance our library. I would argue that the first inference holds up better. Firstly, the fact that the digital library is still a library suggests a strong emphasis on serving users, and as we have found out in class, this is definitely true and set to become an even larger emphasis once the programming work becomes more complete. Secondly, the possibilities for the machine to expand the possibilities of a traditional library in the digital library rely primarily on the designer of the digital library. In this mode, the librarian is creating a dynamic environment for the user to experience the materials within the digital library, thus the computer is carrying the librarians work to a user, essentially becoming a very efficient medium. After all, digital libraries still require the expertise of an efficient librarian to be properly created and organized.