Not long ago The European Library announced that it had formed a Users Advisory Board. As the press release phrased it: “Trying to meet user demands better, their advice will help shape the development and strategy of The European Library portal.”
Last May this newly-formed Users Advisory Board of The European Library was put into action for the first time when it met National Library representatives and members of different partner library organisations to discuss Do library portals have a future?
While considering user expectations for digital library services, the strategic possibilities of portals to fulfil the role of gateways to electronic resources was examined. The discussions were structured via a PESTLE analysis.
The workshop generated a number of interesting insights into ways forward for library portals. The general view was that there is uncertainty over whether users actually want library portals. However, there is no doubt at all that they want to access the information that such portals are able to aggregate.
The value of local portals was recognised, particularly since they are more likely to be placed within the user’s workflow. At the same time, a pan-European project like Europeana can provide a vision for the development of standards and an impetus for digitisation. It can play a key role in motivating governments to participate in programmes and to fund them.
It is still to be resolved who plays the coordinating roles for the aggregation of library content into Europeana. A roadmap is needed for where the library community goes from here in supporting Europeana’s development. Both LIBER and CERL feel they could play a role in the coordination of activities, working alongside other partners.
Overall, it was suggested that portals such as The European Library and Europeana may be stepping stones to an alternative long-term solution.
After the weekend we will upload the full report on The European Library portal – Users Advisory Board page.
