European Libraries and Electronic Resources in Mathematical Sciences Project Description Compliance of the Project with Objectives of the Libraries Workprogramme

Compliance of the Project with Objectives of the Libraries Workprogramme

A pilot service for distributed digital library services will be developed, comprising different libraries and associated services in the field of mathematics. EULER will integrate different existing functions, and form a new service, offering new models of integrated access and use of library materials.

EULER will integrate the building blocks and components for interconnecting different functions (scientific databases, OPACs, Document Delivery, electronic documents, etc., for-pay and not-for-pay services) in order to develop a new, user-friendly access point to mathematical literature and relevant networked resources.

End-users will get access to mathematical library resources, irrespective of library type and location.

EULER will improve the usability of academic electronic publications within libraries and for library users.
The project will be an example of a large scale distributed digital library, that comprises access to traditional, printed publications and offers high-quality access to networked mathematical resources. The EULER consortium is composed of partners from different fields of scientific information, communication, and publication that form a new promising alliance.

EULER will integrate some results of previous projects and establish new partnerships, in parallel with the technical development of new, integrated services. Some major players in the field of mathematical information and library resources are taking part in the project. The EULER services will apply the relevant open standards, such as Internet Protocols, HTML, SR/Z39.50, and Dublin Core as basis for metadata descriptions of distributed mathematical resources, thus providing interoperability between different library and database services. The project will monitor additional services and standard developments to support integration of further services. Standardisation questions also include document formats, delivery mechanisms, and methods of licensing and accounting. The technologies, methodologies, models and architectures to be used in EULER comprise common network infrastructures, Internet, Web, Client-server architecture, distributed database design, state-of-the-art retrieval and browsing tools, metadata formats, distributed query protocols, harvesting technology, standard interface design, etc.

To sum up the main characteristics and priorities of EULER:

* The project will integrate different types of applications based on real user needs and requirements, leading to concrete results: a one-stop-shopping point for mathematical information. The envisaged approach can serve as a model for replication in other subject domains.

* EULER will integrate existing and emerging technologies and demonstrate the integration potential of library applications in a new service area.

* The project will include and exploit results from preceding projects and build on the impetus developed.

* Only open standards will be used throughout the project.

* Information dissemination and concertation with other national and EU projects will secure knowledge and skills transfer, and lead to a better understanding of organisational and technical problems and common solutions.

* By it's very nature, EULER has a broad scope for links with other sectors of the Telematics Applications Programme, especially to Research, Education and Training, and Information Engineering.

* The EULER consortium is a new alliance of traditional and new partners, that includes some of the major players in it's field: mathematics, and mathematical literature and information.