DLF Aquifer participants have been busy this summer and as a result, the
initiative has moved into implementation. What an amazing group of folks!
* Working groups completed foundation policy documents and I have
posted them on the web at http://www.diglib.org/aquifer/aquiferbkgd.htm.
* Small teams are in the process of selecting testbed collections for
first phase metadata harvesting and developing functional specifications
for the harvesting.
* Harvesting services will be up and running in the fall, thanks to the
IMLS funded OAI best practices development work sponsored by the Digital
Library Federation and anticipated hosting by one of the DLF Aquifer
participant libraries.
* A metadata intern from San Jose State University will begin working
here at Stanford in September, to help with data migration and to test the
training component of the IMLS grant, due to be presented at DLF Fall Forum
in Charlottesville, VA, November 2005.
* The project is on schedule to have a prototype suite of tools and
services ready to demonstrate at DLF Spring Forum in Austin, TX, April 2006.
Last week I sent two surveys to DLF library staff members who have been
active in DLF forums in the past. The surveys are intended to establish
baseline information on metadata practices and uses of digital collections
from DLF member libraries. We hope the results will help set priorities for
service development as we begin planning future project phases and look
forward to the responses from your institutions.
We are actively seeking outside funding and I am working with participant
libraries on "hosting" arrangements for various components of the project.
It is exciting to see the focus of the initiative sharpen through
collaboration. Many thanks for your support and encouragement.
Katherine
Katherine Kott
Aquifer Director
Digital Library Federation
Meyer Library, 3rd Floor
Stanford CA 94305-3104
Phone: 650 725-1067
Fax: 650 723-3038
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
