An Introduction to Web Services
tracy gardner · Ariadne · 2001
In other words, web services are interoperable building blocks for constructing applications. As an example, we can imagine a distributed digital library infrastructure built on web services providing functionality such as distributed search, authentication, inter-library loan requests, document translation and payment. These web services would be combined by a particular digital library application to offer an environment for reaching information resources that is tailored to its particular user community.