3. Transform search and navigation

Following a procurement review to identify a successor to the Integrated Library System (ILS), we are now implementing Ex Libris’ PRIMO product as an interim solution. Longer term options will be integrated into our next generation library management system. A range of digital materials we received through voluntary deposit can now be viewed in the Reading Rooms, through a pilot project to offer access to digital items.

This year we signed up to EDLnet, a network of institutions working to develop the shared approach needed to create the European Digital Library. The network is working towards a consensus on issues such as the interoperability of cultural content held by museums, libraries and archives across Europe. We provided test data for a pilot of the EDL website and advised on how EDLnet membership could be extended beyond national libraries.

ESTC, our international database of pre-1801 books, was made freely available to researchers on the Library’s website last year. We are now drafting plans to enable other libraries to augment existing ESTC records or add new records. In May we finalised proposals for the integration of all our automated archive and manuscripts catalogues into a single catalogue using existing Library infrastructure. This work is now underway, with the first phase of development planned for completion in October 2008 and large-scale migration of data from legacy systems scheduled for later this year.