E-lib.ch: the Vision of a Swiss Digital Library

Abstract

A proposed four-year national program (2008-2011), e-lib.ch, aims at improving access to scientific information for all potential patrons in Switzerland. The strategic goals of e-lib.ch can be summarized briefly as follows: To provide the Swiss Universities and other institutions of scientific and cultural importance with relevant scientific information of all types ; To provide open public access to these resources as far as possible ; Long term storage of the relevant data in electronic format ; and Vast integration of the individual information resources. Seen from a conceptual viewpoint, the architecture of the program will be formed of four horizontal layers: the technical infrastructure layer, the service layer, the portal layer and the layer of competence. The vertical direction will be formed of domain specific applications, which will define e-lib.ch regarding content.

Seen from a practical viewpoint, several smaller and larger projects will be conducted by individual libraries. These will emphasize on developing user-friendly integrated access to high-quality information by using new technologies. Long-term storage will also be treated. Co-operations with similar projects in Europe is achieved.