EL@ND European Libraries Network for Development

EL@ND European Libraries Network for Development

Project Rationale

The aim of the ELAND Project is to ‘unlock’ European library and information resources and put them to work in contributing to international development. Eland will offer its users a powerful interface to these holdings and will through networked management improve the efficiency of the libraries involved.

The resource

High quality research and high quality library and information resources are some of the key foundations of Europe’s development co-operation effort. Europe has a rich array of library and information resources on international development, built up over many decades, including a large amount of rare ‘grey literature’ and materials published in developing countries. To ensure the maintenance of these collections the ELAND project aims to provide a platform to access these resources more readily and to improve cost effectiveness in their delivery.

The ELAND collection reflects the particular strength of European research in combining specialized, multi- and inter-disciplinary research environments.

The problems with access

A transformation is taking place as more organisations make their library catalogues available online. This is an important first step. However, there remains a number of obstacles that prevent easy access to information.

The sheer diversity of different sources – users have to search numerous web sites to find what information is available

The range of cataloguing and database systems being used and the lack of common standards and protocols

That fact that materials are catalogued and indexed in different languages, making it difficult for anyone without high-level language skills to search for materials held in other countries

Problems of obtaining materials once they have been located – although established systems are in place for inter-library loans, document delivery has always been hampered by the cost and delay of sending hard copies of documents through the post, and the administrative complications of handling requests and dealing with multiple small payments, particularly in foreign currencies

Individual libraries, particularly the specialist collections held by small organisations, rarely have the resources to publicise their material effectively at a European level, so potential users do not get to hear about it.

The lack of integration between conventional printed materials held in libraries, and the rapidly growing array of information resources now available online.

The solution

The ELAND project will create a European network of development libraries and documentation centres, linked through a common online system, making information available to users all over the world. The focus on development research libraries ensures quality signposting of relevant materials at a different level from more general National library collections. The overall vision is to offer similar integrated access to a whole range of data types including projects, organisations and expertise.

The Case for a Europe-wide Approach

There is a clear rationale for mounting this Project at a European, rather than national, level:

The study and pursuit of international development is a global endeavour that cuts across national and regional boundaries. The subject is of concern throughout Europe, and the interests of students, researchers, policy makers, and other users are not restricted to any one country. The internet provides the tool to overcome many of these barriers and ELAND hopes to contribute to this change.

Library and information resources on international development are spread throughout Europe. For historical, language and other reasons, different countries have different strengths in terms of their subject and regional coverage. For example, France has very extensive resources relating to Francophone Africa, whereas the Netherlands has the best materials on Indonesia. By bringing these together for the first time, the Project will offer users access to the best resources throughout Europe.

Few organisations have been able to reach users outside their own country, yet the market for library and information services is Europe-wide. The Project will provide a model whereby information providers, some of which are small organisations, with small but high value specialist collections, will be able to greatly extend their reach – something that would never be able to consider on their own.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the ELAND Project are:

To create a central search facility that, using distributed database searching, provides access to library and information resources held by participating organisations throughout Europe, including both online and printed materials, with the possibility to incorporate other indexed information.

To develop a powerful search interface, including multi-lingual thesaurus facilities, which allows users to search for material held in different countries, and catalogued in different systems and languages, in an intuitive and user-friendly way. In the initial phase, a core thesaurus of 500 keyword in English, French, German and Spanish will allow users to enter search terms in any one of these languages, and receive intelligent search results for material catalogued in all four languages.

To facilitate the efficient delivery of documents and other information services by incorporating a secure online document ordering and payment system. This makes ordering quicker and easy for users, while reducing the transactions costs of processing orders, thereby allowing information providers to extend their document delivery and other information services in a cost-effective way. This will include linking to facilities for credit card payment, pre-paid accounts, and ‘sponsored accounts’ – a facility which will allow donors to provide Southern partner organisations with subsidised access to European information resources, resources that would otherwise be beyond their reach.

To further develop the Eland network’s capacity for joint management and development of its thematic focused collections and services.

To facilitate cost sharing and rationalisation of efforts between European development information providers by creating the technical platform needed to share data on what materials participating organisations hold, and on their indexing, cataloguing and document supply policies.

To provide the technical and institutional umbrella from which to mount other collaborative information activities aimed at maximising the use and value of European development information resources, both with Europe, and outside – most particularly in a developing country context.

Technical approach

In designing the ELAND system, the emphasis will be on:

Functionality and ease of use for information users.

Ease of use for information providers – they system must be easy to manage and operate from the point of view of the libraries and other information providers.

Low maintenance – it will be important for the future commercial viability of the system that, once built, it will operate reliably and largely automatically, requiring the minimum of day-to-day maintenance and supervision.

Flexibility – the system will need to be able to respond creatively to the changing information and ICT environments, including emerging data standards.

Business approach

Proving that the ELAND system is workable in business terms, as well as technically, will be a key aspect of the project. Important elements of this will include:

Understanding the constraints and priorities of the provider community, since the system will need to be responsive to these if it is to be adopted.

Working within the boundaries set by current copyright and IPR regulations.

Understanding the ‘market’ for development information, both current and potential, and establishing a clear picture of the behaviour, needs and preferences of information users, and their willingness and ability to pay.

Taking active steps to develop the market for ELAND services, which will mean publicising the system actively, and using innovative approaches to reach and gain the attention of potential users.

Being alert to commercial information products being made available through mainstream publishers and other sources, and the possibilities for constructive collaboration these offer. The ELAND system will not attempt to be exclusive, not will it duplicate what is available elsewhere. The aim throughout will be to direct users to the widest range of information sources available, both commercial and otherwise.

Financing and Scope

Financial backing is being sought to cover the development of the ELAND project over its first three years. This will underwrite the costs of:

An extensive user survey to assess needs and preferences of key target groups (including policy makers, consultants, researchers, students, media).

Analysis and mapping of relevant European information resources, and detailed discussion with information providers to ensure compatibility of data formats, document delivery policies, and other factors.

Design, testing, and rollout of the key technical elements – the search interface, and the document ordering system.

Active marketing and promotion of the service to key user groups, and development of a business plan to guarantee future sustainability of the system.

Project management, coordination and evaluation.

Once the ELAND system is in place revenues from the sale of information products could cover ongoing maintenance costs. However, the Project will also provide the technical and institutional platform and ‘critical mass’ for mounting other information sharing initiatives. ELAND will evolve to take advantage of new opportunities as they arise, and can be expected to become a major ‘information hub’ in the rapidly changing development information world. It will link closely, for example, to initiatives such as the Global Development Network, and World Bank Global Development Gateway.

A key ambition in the medium term is to provide a solid base from which to develop two-way links with Southern partners – from whom European organisations have much to learn, as well as contribute. Consolidating Europe’s information resources, and making them available more easily through a single multi-lingual interface, is seen as a crucial first step in building these partnership links.

Origins of the Project

The project has emerged from a long-standing collaboration on information matters, conducted under the auspices of the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), through its Information Management Working Group. The project has been endorsed by the governing body of EADI, and has strong support from the EADI Secretariat. It responds to the shared ambitions of the European development community to better meet the needs of users by mobilising the substantial information resources it has at it disposal, but which are at present dispersed, and often under-utilised.

A considerable amount of thought has already been invested into the conceptual design of the ELAND system, and preliminary tests have been carried out with many of the key technical element to demonstrate their feasibility. The challenge being addressed in this project is to turn a well-formed concept into a workable, robust and financially viable system that will meet user needs and stand up to the demands of a competitive information market.

Further information on the ELAND project, and the work that has already been undertaken by the project core group, can be found on the EADI website at: http://www.eadi.org.