ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 42 | December 1999
Blue Angel software for NLAs Digital Services
The Digital Services Project is the Librarys key strategy for ensuring the efficient management of its digital collections. It will ensure that the experimental PANDORA archive of Australian electronic publications is developed into a fully functional service, and that other digital services such as Images 1 are based on a robust systems platform. DSP will also provide a medium term solution to ensuring continued accessiblity to the digital collections in the face of rapid changes in technology.
DSP has proceeded in two parts: one focusing on a digital collection management system (the PANDORA element) and the other focusing on a metadata and repository search service supporting delivery of the Librarys digital services (the Images 1 element).
On 12 October the Library announced it had selected the Blue Angel Metatastar Enterprise software to develop, maintain and deliver its metadata repository and search service. This software meets the Librarys technical standards requirements and will interoperate with other software products that we are using.
The Library will use the Blue Angel software to migrate and further develop search services for the Register of Australian Archives and Manuscripts (RAAM), Images 1, ImageSearch (a cooperative project which aims to enable federated searching of digitised pictorial collections of libraries and museums) and other digital services. The first outcomes from this part of the DSP are expected in March 2000.
The Library issued a Request For Tender for a Digital Collection Management System in August and tenders are being evaluated now. It aims to complete the tender evaluation by February 2000 and (other things being equal) complete contract negotiations by June 2000.
Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: lkirwan@nla.gov.au