The DLF is working together with CNI to support the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) - a technical framework which promises to lower the barriers to digital library interoperabillity. That support extends to a commitment to develop some prototype Internet portal services that use the OAI framework to integrate access to selected digital collections at DLF member and other institutions. So far we have been successful in identifying candidate collections and are working with The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to identify and support a number of harvesting services. The Open Day that is advertised below is an important event for those interested in in using the OAI to expose local collections to harvesting services, to build harvesting services, or simply to learn more about the OAI. It is highly recommended Kind regards, Dan MEETING OF THE OPEN ARCHIVES INITIATIVE, WASHINGTON DC JANUARY 23, 2001 ======================================================================= The Open Archives Initiative (http://www.openarchives.org) (OAI) develops and promotes interoperability standards that aim to facilitate the efficient dissemination of content. An Open Meeting to make public the release of the OAI specifications for metadata harvesting will be held on January 23rd 2001 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington DC. The goal of the specifications is to provide an easy way for data providers to expose their metadata and for service providers to access that metadata and use it as input to value-added services. Complete information on the meeting and a registration form (registration is required) is available athttp://www.openarchives.org/DC2001/OpenMeeting.html. Daniel Greenstein Director, Digital Library Federation CLIR 1755 Massachusetts Ave, NW Suite 500 Washington DC 20036 phone 202 939 4762