Thibault Heuzé reports on CORDIS [1], the official EU research information service. CORDIS offers free and reliable information on the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) for Research, Technological development & Demonstration with a specific focus on related key actions. Furthermore, added-value services hosted on CORDIS can help librarians to find additional opportunities through on-going research projects or exploitable results related to the library community.
Following previous articles on the Telematics for Libraries [2] and on the Digital Heritage and Cultural Content [3] web sites the author introduces CORDIS as the main information service on the FP5 as well as a gateway to innovation-related information.
New technologies stimulate exchange and access to knowledge while also constituting a tool capable of strengthening European identity. To support this, the European Commission has funded a number of research projects aiming to support librarians to develop innovative services using new technologies and therefore to help them meet the challenges of the future. The results of these previous research projects are now accessible on CORDIS for spin off.
CORDIS can provide libraries and museum managers with relevant examples of practical research achievements and background information on certain aspects such as project proposal assistance and intellectual property issues.
CORDIS was launched in November 1990 as a project designed to increase the dissemination and utilisation of scientific and technological research results. The service started with searchable databases and was soon complemented by programme-specific information services and tools to help users access more innovation-related information.
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| Figure 1: The CORDIS Home Page |
CORDIS provides free and rapid on-line access to a wide range of accurate information on European R&D and innovation activities.
CORDIS aims to:
New services now hosted by CORDIS help users to find more effective innovation tools, identify sources of innovation assistance, locate new technology and keep up-to-date on latest developments (CORDIS News). The development of information content is designed to assist a broad scope of users. Traditional institutional and research users have been joined by growing numbers of business users, non-profit associations and innovation advisors, all seeking reliable and timely information.
Library managers can also benefit from the service.
CORDIS is an interactive marketplace where information and knowledge can be exchanged and where European research and innovation can be transformed into benefits for European citizens. CORDIS can assist library managers to find new solutions to solve their problems or improve accessibility and users satisfaction.
In 1984 the European Parliament drew political attention to the importance of libraries to the Community in a Resolution (known as the Schwencke Resolution) which called for action by the Commission in this sector (Official Journal No C 117 of 30/4/1984). The Council of Ministers with responsibility for cultural affairs adopted a Resolution of 17 September 1985 on "Collaboration between libraries in the field of data processing" (Official Journal No C 271 of 23.10.1985). This Resolution acknowledged the importance of libraries in the European Community, both as a major force in the information market and as intermediaries to knowledge and culture. Libraries thereafter appeared as a key field for research and development in the EC research programmes. Different types of projects were founded to foster namely interoperability and access. The underlying goal was to help modern libraries provide a dynamic and easily searchable information space throughout the Community taking into account existing geographical discrepancies.
Are you interested in the last developments in the field of libraries? How to find the information you need on CORDIS?
CORDIS offers different paths to get to the information you need.
You can search in the databases (projects, results, publications). Many projects were developed under past Framework programme actions: Libraries programme (concentrated on facilitating access to library resources and promoting the interconnection of libraries, both directly with other libraries and within the European infrastructure), Telematics for libraries (aimed at developing added-value services through library networking and related services) [4]. Other library-related actions were carried out under the Training and Mobility of Researchers programme [5]. Research results can be found in the CORDIS searchable databases by carrying out a basic search or by using the map-based search. Databases are accessible from the CORDIS home page [1].
Current projects examples include: libraries without walls, decision support models and a decision support system for European libraries, electronic data interchange for libraries and booksellers, management information software tool for research in libraries, public libraries and independent learners, and more (check example by selecting the following search).
Specific facilities have been developed to ease the job of searching in the databases. It is possible to use CORDIS "Rapidus" feature (Rapid Delivery of Updates on Search profiles) to keep a watch on new developments by receiving news by e-mail automatically delivered at your desktop.
Furthermore, the CORDIS technology marketplace [6] highlights some exploitable results. This service is a helpful tool to find ideas for new products and services.
Some examples of interest for library managers include:
Finally, CORDIS hosts a gateway to local and national information services gathering core information in English on research projects from across Europe. The ERGO, "European Research Gateways On-line", initiative [9] offers more opportunities to access innovative national research project in the library field from a single entry point.
If you would like to be involved in EU-funded research and develop your ideas, CORDIS can help. CORDIS aims to assist any innovator through the critical stages of innovation and technology transfer. CORDIS also acts as a publisher of all information related to FP5 participation. A specific web service gathers all information on thematic and horizontal programmes as well as key actions. The service offers assistance on opportunities, calls for proposals, and on understanding procedures leading to applications.
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| Figure 2: FP5 web service at http://www.cordis.lu/fp5/ |
FP5 provides various opportunities for library managers under key actions such as “systems and services to the citizen” (IST, key action 1), “multimedia content and tools” (IST, key action 3) or “the city of tomorrow and cultural heritage” (EESD, key action 4). There are, however, other potential opportunities for innovators. The networked library can also for example enhance education and lifelong-learning opportunities for children and adults, e.g. distance learning; support training, employment and business; foster economic prosperity; and nurture social cohesion through fostering a politically and culturally informed society.
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| Figure 3: Information Society Technologies at http://www.cordis.lu/ist/ |
CORDIS provides potential participants with practical tools and guidance to respond to FP5 call for proposals. The service offers direct links to call dates, downloadable documents and other related facilities. A partner service (Expression of interest) [10] helps locate possible partners for a specific project. Partnership is a compulsory requirement for EC funding; potential partners from different member States are libraries, networking specialists, software house, publishers, research departments and universities.
Protool [11] helps potential participants to prepare the administrative and technical paper work in conformity with the appropriate Proposal Submission Form.
Additional services offer information on financing innovation or on patent protection. In this respect, CORDIS covers the whole innovation process, from the identification of a relevant idea to its implementation: local assistance, selection of partners, application for funding support, implementation plan, financing, legal assistance, and more.
Do you need to find exploitable research results on library management? Are you looking for information on specific research projects in European countries? Do you want to participate in a EU funded research project under the multimedia content key action?
CORDIS offers reliable services and tools to ease exploitation of results and/or get involved in further research developments. Libraries remain a very important potential actor under FP5 actions and thus there are many opportunities to seize.
To enhance user-friendliness and efficiency, CORDIS will soon launch a new web resource offering users a more comprehensive and interactive gateway. The ten-year old service thus reflects both the rapid evolution of the European R&D environment and the flexibility to match the change in users' needs. Library managers have much to gain by using CORDIS.
If you have any comments on this article, please contact the editors (exploit-editor@ukoln.ac.uk).
Thibault Heuzé
CORDIS Community Research and Development Information Service
CORDIS Marketing Team
rue Montoyer40
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32.2.238.17.37
URL: <http://www.cordis.lu/>
Email: t.heuze@cordis.lu
Thibault Heuzé is employed within the CORDIS Marketing team. His responsibilities include relations with the non-profit sector and stressing the exploitation of research results.
For citation purposes:
Thibault Heuzé, "CORDIS web service: a marketplace to exploit
research results and find innovative opportunities on library & information
management", Exploit Interactive, issue 3, October 1999
URL: <http://www.exploit-lib.org/issue3/cordis/>
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