In the Report ‘2010: towards a European digital library’, recommendations are made concerning the setting up of a European digital library: a single, direct and multilingual access point to the European cultural heritage. Various European institutions that carry cultural content, such as libraries and universities, are invited to make all their works that are free of copyright available while the report also points out the desirability of including copyright documents in the future. EU Member States are encouraged to continue their efforts and speed up the rate of digitisation on cultural content, preferably in close cooperation with cultural institutions. The digitalisation of cultural content is said to greatly promote its accessibility.  

The idea of a European digital library originated from six EU heads of state and government and was welcomed by the European Commission which encouraged it through its initiative ‘2010: digital libraries’ in 2005. This development was followed by an online public consultation on digitisation and the setting up of a high-level expert group. In 2006, the European Commission called on Member States to coordinate their efforts to establish a European digital library. The Council adopted these recommendations unanimously on 13 November 2006. By drafting the ‘2010: towards a European digital library report’ the European Parliament sent out a strong signal in order for this project to become reality.

European Parliament
Marie-Hélène Descamps (MEP)

23/07/2007

policy

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Education