The European Library—From Project to Service

Abstract

ABSTRACT Launched in March 2005, The European Library is in its Beta test phase. It is uncertain how well the ‘portal in the browser’ solution will work, and the only way it can truly be tested is to release it to the world and solve any issues that arise. http://www.TheEuropeanLibrary.org is the operational result of a three-year European Union funded project to create a co-operative framework and specify a system for integrated access to the major collections of the European national libraries. Beginning in June 2004, work was undertaken to turn the project and the experimental technology into a full-fledged, robust service. The European Library currently gives free access to digital and non-digital records and items from nine European national libraries. These numbered around 11,000,000 at launch, of which half a million were digitised objects. This paper will cover the technological innovation, cooperation and business development required to launch and run this collaborative pan-European service. It also looks at the marketing and communications plan and addresses some of the known issues and challenges. Some examples of how research and discovery may directly benefit from this collaboration are shown.