Blue Skies Thinking on European Digitisation?
Earlier this month the European Commision’s three-person Comité des Sages (Reflection Group) on “bringing Europe’s cultural heritage online” launched a public consultation on boosting cultural heritage online in Europe. Here are some details, reflections and a call to take part.
Such a group is tasked with developing a vision and looking the main issues within their remit. The particular one began its work in April, with a report is expected by the end of the year.
This Group is made up of three people:
- Maurice Lévy (CEO of Publicis)
- Elisabeth Niggemann (Director General of the German National Library)
- Jacques De Decker (writer)
They report to EC Vice President for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes and Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou.
The Terms of Reference for the Group identify that they should look into these areas and address a set of questions:
- Sources of funding for digitisation (e.g. Public funding level?)
- Maximising the impact of digitisation of in-public domain material for the economy and society (Should public domain content, digitised with public funds, be free to access and reuse?)
- Facilitating the digitisation of orphan works and out-of-print works (Who responsible for assuring their online access?)
- Cross border access (Free access for users in the country of digitisation, via IP address, paid for others?)
- Long-term preservation (How can it be guaranteed?)
As part of their work they have set up a Consultation and you are invited to take part!
You are advised to look at all the questions first before making your contributions.
