Swiss National Library NL
Swiss National Library NL
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e-Helvetica
Collecting and archiving digital publications
The Swiss National Library (NL) has the legal mandate to collect, list, conserve and make available information on and about Switzerland (Helvetica), in print form or stored on other media. This mandate includes „digitally born" publications such as, for example, e-Books, e-Journals und Websites.
The NL started the e-Helvetica project in 2001, the „e" standing for electronic and „Helvetica" for publications relating to Switzerland. There were two main goals in the project: to build up a collection of digital Helvetica and to set up an IT system to archive these digital Helvetica.
It was decided to collect different types of digital objects to constitute the collection, which thus today comprises four collection components with different contents:
- Digital Theses (both dissertations and postdoctoral)
- Digital publications produced by publishers
- Official publications of the Swiss Confederation in digital form
- Cultural heritage websites (Web Archive Switzerland)
The OAIS reference model (Open Archival Information System) was selected as the basic structure for the computer system designed for archiving the material. The individual components were designed to be modular and put into operation in stages.
The long-term storage and delivery of digital media is especially challenging. As a Swiss library, the NL strives to work with other Swiss cantonal or university libraries in this (and other) fields. As a national library, it has established contacts with the Swiss book and information market. Internationally, it operates primarily in conjunction with other national libraries, which have similar mandates.
Strategic plan 2009-2015
After evaluating the situation of e-Helvetica at the end of 2008, a strategic plan was set up for 2009-2015.
Last updated on: 25.07.2012
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