The Réseau francophone des bibliothèques nationales numériques A Unique Tool Furthering Cultural Diversity CDNL 2009 Milan

The first years of the 21st century saw an increase in internationally-driven digital library projects: UNESCOs World Digital Library, Europeana, Google Books, etc.The first years of the 21st century saw an increase in internationally-driven digital library projects: UNESCOs World Digital Library, Europeana, Google Books, etc. The international francophone communitys documentary heritage was conspicuously absent from the new digital landscape.The international francophone communitys documentary heritage was conspicuously absent from the new digital landscape. A New Context

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

February 2006: The RFBNN was founded in Paris by the national libraries of Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, Quebec and Switzerland. The Library of Alexandria soon joined the network.February 2006: The RFBNN was founded in Paris by the national libraries of Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, Quebec and Switzerland. The Library of Alexandria soon joined the network. September 2006: The Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF) committed itself to the project by ratifying the Declaration of Bucharest adopted at the conclusion of the 11th Francophone Summit.September 2006: The Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF) committed itself to the project by ratifying the Declaration of Bucharest adopted at the conclusion of the 11th Francophone Summit. A Few Chronological Markers

March 2007: The design and technical development of the Réseaus Web portal was entrusted to BAnQ.March 2007: The design and technical development of the Réseaus Web portal was entrusted to BAnQ. October 2008: Official launch of the portal during the 12th Francophone Summit in Québec City where the heads of state and government of French-speaking countries were brought together.October 2008: Official launch of the portal during the 12th Francophone Summit in Québec City where the heads of state and government of French-speaking countries were brought together. A Few Chronological Markers

A straightforward, user-friendly architecture.A straightforward, user-friendly architecture. A cooperative portal with content supplied by participating libraries.A cooperative portal with content supplied by participating libraries. A constantly-evolving open structure:A constantly-evolving open structure: –for the types of institutions represented; –for the content put forward: newspapers, magazines and journals, books, maps and plans, archives and, soon, audiovisual documents; –for the services provided: reference and exchange of expertise. Project Objectives

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

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.

Belgium Canada Cambodia Egypt France Haiti Luxembourg Madagascar Mali Morocco Quebec Senegal Switzerland Tunisia Vietnam Some Very Promising Results

94 collections from 11 countries.94 collections from 11 countries newspaper instalments covering 199 years ( ) newspaper instalments covering 199 years ( ). Internet users are only a mouse click away from accessing the heritage treasures of the international francophone community on just one Web site.Internet users are only a mouse click away from accessing the heritage treasures of the international francophone community on just one Web site. Some Very Promising Results

To ensure the effective participation of all French- speaking countries.To ensure the effective participation of all French- speaking countries. An initial internship session was organized in Paris in April 2008.An initial internship session was organized in Paris in April Field assignments carried out with the support of the OIF:Field assignments carried out with the support of the OIF: –Haiti: June 2009 –Cambodia: Fall 2009 –Sub-Saharan Africa: Winter A Key Factor: Training

An increase in the number of participating libraries.An increase in the number of participating libraries. Important addition to content over the next few months:Important addition to content over the next few months: –Six newspapers from France and Québec –Sound recordings from the African continent –Classics of Québec litterature Future Outlook