Study on the Impact of the Telematics for Libraries FP4 Programme

PricewaterhouseCoopers was invited by the European Commission to assess the impact of the Libraries Programme under FP4. A total of 49 projects (including accompanying measures) were financially supported under this programme, receiving 29 Million Euro in total. This report [1] provides an integrated presentation of results and related findings.

The impact study maps the projects and their current and expected results against the programme objectives. This may serve as a baseline for future reference and evaluation.

It must be noted that many of the projects are not yet finished. A full assessment will only be possible once all the projects have been completed.

The study is based on a fact-finding phase, an opinion-finding phase and an analysis phase. A Study Committee consisting of three experts familiar with the programme was set up to assess the progress of the work and to advise on any related matters.

The analysis was based on interviews with key external experts, European Commission representatives, project co-ordinators, National Focal Points, Programme Managers (NORDINFO, eLIB, GLOBALINFO) and library associations (IFLA, EBLIDA).

An important effect of the Programme has been the further development of the human networks in the library world that were created under previous programmes. It helped establish relationships in Europe between libraries of various types, and with traditional and new partners. The role of projects in the area of standardisation is increasingly being recognised around the world.

Under the Programme, a wide variety of technical and service issues are being addressed, covering many library domains and specific professional domains. Although several promising products and services which form an interesting potential for future deployment are being developed, exploitation still requires strong attention in the Programme.

While the Programme succeeds in attracting participation from all Member States and several associated states, and many national representatives feel that it is having a positive impact on the national environment, the creation of synergies with national programmes could be improved.

The study presents some emerging issues for future considerations, addressing the content of the Programme, project management, synergies with national programmes and the approach to exploitation.

In conclusion, the Libraries Programme is widely acknowledged as having contributed – and continuing to contribute - to its goal: “The creation of a European Library space”. It does so by contributing to the technological developments and standards area in the library field, by improving co-operation amongst libraries in Europe and by improving library services to European citizens.

References

1. Study on the Impact of the Telematics for Libraries FP4 Programme, Techserv, December 1999
   URL: <ftp://ftp.cordis.lu/pub/ist/docs/digicult/impact.pdf>

For citation purposes:
"Study on the Impact of the Telematics for Libraries FP4 Programme", Exploit Interactive, issue 5, April 2000
URL: <http://www.exploit-lib.org/issue5/impact/>

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