Abstract：Semantic Web and ontology-based applications for digital librariesAn investigation from LIS professionals in Pakistan PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore useful Semantic Web technologies and ontology-based applications for digital librariesIt also investigates the perceptions of university librarians and academicians in Pakistan about Semantic Web technologies and their use in digital librariesDesignmethodologyapproachAn exploratory research design based on Delphi research strategy was conducted to answer the research questionsInterviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 50 key informants including university librarians and academicians to explore their perceptions about Semantic Web technologies and their use in digital librariesThematic analysis of interview data was conducted to obtain resultsFindingsThe results of this paper showed that DuraCloudSemantic information mashupOntoEdit and resource description frameworkRDFare the various Semantic Web applications which are useful for digital libraries to develop semantic relationships among digital contents and increase their accessibility in the web environmentFindings revealed that Semantic Web provides precise results and meets user information needs in an effective wayResults also showed that next-generation digital libraries use context-awareness technologyintelligent agent software and detecting sensors to analyze user information needs and provide dynamic information servicesThis paper recommended that librarians should embrace the use of emerging web technologies in libraries and offer library services through the medium of the webPractical implicationsThis paper envisaged the future of digital library services and Semantic Web applications that can be used to re-structure metadata of digital libraryThis paper has practical implications for librarians to consider the useful applications of Semantic Web for digital library and enhance the interoperability of metadata among heterogeneous information systemsPracticallyresults obtained from this paper are highly useful for library schools and LIS teachers to up-date their curriculum by incorporating new contents related to web languages and Semantic Web applications for digital librariesOriginalityvalueThis paper identifies various Semantic Web applications which are useful for developing Semantic Digital Libraries The use of AI in the libraryLibrary AutomationandRetrieval and IndexingThis article mainly discusses how to use semantic network technology and ontology to apply it in digital library to develop semantic relationships between digital contentThis study explores the use of semantic network technology and ontology-based applications in digital libraryIn the studyspecial attention pays special attention to semantic network applications such as Duracloudsemantic information mixingonToeditand resource description frameworkRDFThey help develop semantic relationships between digital content and increase their accessibility in the network environmentThe article emphasizes that the semantic network provides accurate results and effectively meets the users information needs