Internet is fast becoming the most important tool for accessing information and knowledge of all types, whether for professional, educational or leisure purposes. However, the underlying high-speed networks do not automatically ensure that this tool is efficient. The user still needs help to sort through the information and to convert it into knowledge.

The four key areas of the Nordunet2 programme focus on how the Internet's large bandwidth networks can be better utilized. Three of the areas- Distance Education and Lifelong Learning,Tele-Medicine and Digital Libraries-are aimed at the creation of new applications as well as at the development of new ways of using advanced networks that will yield higher quality, greater efficiency and even new ways of working.

The Digital library initiative addresses the administration of information and services for making information available in new ways. The term 'digital library' entails something more than a database supporting the traditional tasks of a library. In addition to the automation of ordinary library services and the making of library resources available as digital collections, the digital library will play an important role as an organiser of systems for knowledge-development, information management and procurement.

Systems that encourage suppliers to make high-quality information resources available on the Internet are needed. At the same time, there is a need for solutions that help the user to access such resources, to search and navigate among them, to select and reuse what is relevant, etc. Applications directed at the user and supplier of information are closely related. Different applications are reliant on infrastructure that is secure and has a high degree of functionality. Access-control and a secure payment environment for commercial material are two dimensions of this. In turn, the functionality of such applications will affect what is required of the infrastructure.

The Digital library initiative invites interested parties to apply for project funding (cf. Call for Proposals under the Nordunet2 programme). Priority will be given to applications which, within a Nordic perspective, are designed to develop and make available systems that involve one or more of the following topics:

  • Establishing digital libraries which can contribute towards the goal of a Nordic digital library;
  • Solutions for easier search, location and navigation within the complex information landscape;
  • Support-applications for more efficient selection and retrieval of relevant information;
  • Organising, cataloguing, archiving, indexing and long-term storage;
  • Systems that ensure high quality of information;
  • Systems to administer copyright, access-control, security and payment issues;
  • System for publishing and spreading of knowledge-based information;
  • Integration with existing libraries;
  • Development of a common infrastructure for digital library.

The information objects of the projects may consist of text, graphic, sound, pictures, video, programmes or numerical data, or different data types (multimedia). Further, the data may be connected in different ways (hypertext- and hypermedia) and organised in two and three dimensions.

The Digital library initiative has obvious affinities with the other Nordunet2 initiatives. Particularly closely related is the Distance Education and Lifelong Learning initiative, with the need for digital content objects and services in learning environments. Hence interested parties may apply for project-funding from more than one of the Nordunet2 initiatives.