Strasbourg, 28/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament backs the setting up of a European digital library as suggested by the Commission. On Thursday 27 September, a large majority of the Parliament (481 votes to 26 and 3 abstentions) adopted the report by Marie-Hélène Descamps (EPP-ED, France). The aim of the digital library is to give citizens easier access to cultural heritage, in all its forms (books but also audiovisual content), via a single direct access point.
The report highlights the importance of having a multilingual interface for direct access to content sought in all European Union languages and also to enable searches to be conducted in all languages. MEPs consider that existing European initiatives, allowing national libraries to be connected, should contribute to the creation of the European digital library. Also, use should be made of initiatives already set up such as the TEL (The European Library), which provides access to national European library collections, including digital or bibliographic search from 23 of the 47 national library links. MEPs also cite the TEL-ME-MOR project intended to promote integration of the ten national libraries of the new member states, and the EDL project aimed at integrating nine other national libraries within the EU/EFTA framework, as well as the Europeana project, which links national libraries of France, Hungary and Portugal. When it comes to financing, the Parliament stresses the need for new sources to be developed, including partnerships with the private sector. The European Commission's proposals were set out in a communication of 30 September 2005 in response to the wish expressed by six heads of state and government in April of the same year for the creation of a European digital library. Henri Weber (PES, France), who was keen to support Ms Descamps' report, said that this independent and ambitious European project will build a new digital alliance, for access to knowledge and cultural heritage. (il)