www.rfbnn.org

The Réseau francophone des bibliothèques The Réseau francophone des bibliothèques nationales numériquesnationales numériques

A Unique Tool FurtheringA Unique Tool Furthering Cultural DiversityCultural Diversity

CDNL 2009CDNL 2009MilanMilan

www.rfbnn.org

• The first years of the 21st century saw an increase in The first years of the 21st century saw an increase in internationally-driven digital library projects: internationally-driven digital library projects: UNESCO’s World Digital Library, Europeana, UNESCO’s World Digital Library, Europeana, Google Books, etc.Google Books, etc.

• The international francophone community’s The international francophone community’s documentary heritage was conspicuously absent documentary heritage was conspicuously absent from the new digital landscape.from the new digital landscape.

A New ContextA New Context

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• Bibliothèque nationale de France instigated the Bibliothèque nationale de France instigated the creation of a francophone network of national digital creation of a francophone network of national digital libraries called Réseau francophone des libraries called Réseau francophone des bibliothèques nationales numériques (RFBNN).bibliothèques nationales numériques (RFBNN).

A Solution to this SituationA Solution to this Situation

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• February 2006: The RFBNN was founded in Paris by February 2006: The RFBNN was founded in Paris by the national libraries of Belgium, Canada, France, the national libraries of Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, Quebec and Switzerland. The Library Luxembourg, Quebec and Switzerland. The Library of Alexandria soon joined the network.of Alexandria soon joined the network.

• September 2006: The Organisation internationale de September 2006: The Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF) committed itself to the project la francophonie (OIF) committed itself to the project by ratifying the Declaration of Bucharest adopted at by ratifying the Declaration of Bucharest adopted at the conclusion of the 11th Francophone Summit.the conclusion of the 11th Francophone Summit.

A Few Chronological MarkersA Few Chronological Markers

www.rfbnn.org

• March 2007: The design and technical development March 2007: The design and technical development of the Réseau’s Web portal was entrusted to BAnQ.of the Réseau’s Web portal was entrusted to BAnQ.

• October 2008: Official launch of the portal during the October 2008: Official launch of the portal during the 12th Francophone Summit in Québec City where the 12th Francophone Summit in Québec City where the heads of state and government of French-speaking heads of state and government of French-speaking countries were brought together.countries were brought together.

A Few Chronological MarkersA Few Chronological Markers

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• A straightforward, user-friendly architecture.A straightforward, user-friendly architecture.• A cooperative portal with content supplied by A cooperative portal with content supplied by

participating libraries.participating libraries.• A constantly-evolving open structure:A constantly-evolving open structure:

– for the types of institutions represented; for the types of institutions represented; – for the content put forward: newspapers, magazines and for the content put forward: newspapers, magazines and

journals, books, maps and plans, archives and, soon, journals, books, maps and plans, archives and, soon, audiovisual documents;audiovisual documents;

– for the services provided: reference and exchange of for the services provided: reference and exchange of expertise.expertise.

Project ObjectivesProject Objectives

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• Tight schedules.Tight schedules.

• Documents of varying quality.Documents of varying quality.

• Incomplete or nonexistent metadata.Incomplete or nonexistent metadata.

• Disparate standards.Disparate standards.

• Access to content dependent on local integrated Access to content dependent on local integrated library systems (ILS).library systems (ILS).

ChallengesChallenges

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The past news section displays the front page of newspapers at selected dates.

The search fields allow users to select the country and document type.

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Some Very Promising ResultsSome Very Promising Results

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• 94 collections from 11 countries.94 collections from 11 countries.

• 367 924 newspaper instalments covering 199 years 367 924 newspaper instalments covering 199 years (1800-1998).(1800-1998).

• Internet users are only a mouse click away from Internet users are only a mouse click away from accessing the heritage treasures of the international accessing the heritage treasures of the international francophone community on just one Web site.francophone community on just one Web site.

Some Very Promising ResultsSome Very Promising Results

www.rfbnn.org

• To ensure the effective participation of all French-To ensure the effective participation of all French-speaking countries.speaking countries.

• An initial internship session was organized in Paris An initial internship session was organized in Paris in April 2008.in April 2008.

• Field assignments carried out with the support of the Field assignments carried out with the support of the OIF:OIF:– Haiti: June 2009Haiti: June 2009– Cambodia: Fall 2009Cambodia: Fall 2009– Sub-Saharan Africa: Winter 2009-2010Sub-Saharan Africa: Winter 2009-2010

A Key Factor: TrainingA Key Factor: Training

www.rfbnn.org

• An increase in the number of participating libraries.An increase in the number of participating libraries.

• Important addition to content over the next few Important addition to content over the next few months:months:

– Six newspapers from France and QuébecSix newspapers from France and Québec

– Sound recordings from the African continentSound recordings from the African continent

– Classics of Québec litterature Classics of Québec litterature

Future OutlookFuture Outlook