German Resources Project
Overview
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German Resources ProjectOverview |
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 Deutsch
German Resources
Project |
The German Resources Project
was among the three original pilot projects of the AAU/ARL Global
Resources Program. Originally known as the German
Demonstration Project, it was renamed in the summer of 1998 to reflect
its establishment as a long-term enterprise focusing on improving the
effective acquisition, use, and sharing of German-language materials
among North American libraries, as well as fostering closer
collaboration with German research libraries. In recognizing the need
to promote more effective sharing and cooperation among libraries, the
Project makes full use of new technologies to improve collection
transparency, facilitate inter-institutional cooperation, and to create
interdependent structures in a constantly shifting collection
development landscape. Since this form of cooperation makes the move
from ownership to access of materials a more viable policy alternative,
the German Resources Project will aid libraries in maximizing their
long-term investment in German-language scholarship. To accomplish this
the Project is organized into four working groups: 1) Collection
Development, 2) Document Delivery, 3) Digital Libraries, and 4)
Bibliographic Control. Working group initiatives include the creation
of a formal system of document delivery between German and North
American libraries, harmonization of cataloging rules, coordinating
common standards for metadata development, the provision of collection
development tools, fostering collaborative digital library projects,
and in providing knowledge resources through studies and reports
pertinent to national-level collection development practices.
The Project is chaired by Tom Kilton of the University of Illinios. Jeff Garrett of Northwestern University is chair-elect. A Steering Committee functions as both a coordinating and advisory body in leading the Project in its various activities. In addition to facilitating the development of Project initiatives, the members of the Steering Committee also serve as liaisons to colleagues in German research libraries who are strategic partners in the project. As of May 2003, 60 ARL libraries and German partner libraries are participating in the project. This Web site, along with its group listservs and meetings, is a primary means of communication for Project members. Archived minutes and reports, project descriptions, as well as announcements and new initiatives can be found here. Prospective institutional members and professionals interested in participating are welcome to explore the site and read its contents. General questions or comments may be sent to the Website administrator. |
(Last modified May 2003)