1. The Danish Digital Library
April 2018

2. WHAT IS THE DANISH DIGITAL LIBRARY (DDL)?
Known as the DDB in Denmark, DDL is a collaboration between the Local Government Denmark (LGDK) and the Ministry of Culture Denmark. All 98 municipalities in Denmark have joined.
The purpose of DDL is to develop a strong common digital public library – both locally and nationally. The basic concept is that by sharing technological solutions, content and data nationally, it strengthens the local library.
Through collaboration, DDL sets the direction for the good digital library experience and develops the common digital solutions that are required.
DDL is financed equally between the Local Government Denmark (LGDK) and the Danish government – approximately DKK 34 million annually.
The municipalities contribute on the basis of the following payment model:
The contribution to DDL basic package in 2018 is DKK 2.24 per resident.
The contribution to DDL website package in 2018 is DKK 0.75 per resident.

3. Danish public libraries
DDL’S ORGANISATION
Steering Group
Two representatives from the Local Government Denmark (LGDK)
Two representatives from the Ministry of Culture Denmark
Chairman from the DDL Coordination Group
The Coordination Group
Seven library managers from public libraries
Two library managers from research libraries
One representative from the Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces
Two representatives from the Local Government Denmark (LGDK)
The Secretariat
16 employees
Four student assistants
Secondments from the public libraries
Professional Groups
Associated with purchasing, communication and infrastructure. Members are specialists from the public libraries.
Work Groups
Associated with functional development of DDB CMS, statistics etc. Members are specialists from the public libraries.
Danish public libraries

4. THE DANISH PUBLIC LIBRARIES’ DIGITAL SERVICES TO RESIDENTS
DDL manages, operates and negotiates digital library services, which benefits the local public library and residents.
DDB CMS is the libraries’ common online platform, which is maintained by DDL and further developed in collaboration with the public libraries.
DDB CMS is an optional choice with the DDL basic package.
At the present time, 80 municipal public libraries have registered.
The app ‘Biblioteket’ is the public libraries’ common app with content that is tailored for the local library and with the possibility of local expansion.
DDL supports eReolen (public libraries’ e-books and online audio books website) with negotiations of Danish audio books and e-books.
DDL operates the Litteratursiden (literature website) and Biblo (platform for children under 14).
DDL provides operation support to Biblioteksvagten (Danish public libraries’ national query service), Bibzoom (public libraries’ music website) and eKurser.nu (a portal offering short online courses in everyday IT use).
DDL negotiates digital licences for:
English audio books and e-books.
Digital magazines
International periodicals
Streaming services for concerts
and much more...

5. THE DANISH PUBLIC LIBRARIES’ COMMON DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
DDL provides the public libraries with common digital solutions for managing digital resources.
DDL provides easy access to the administration of digital licences through a licence management system.
DDL provides statistical solutions, where public libraries can follow statistics from their local websites and the use of digital licences. The solutions provide a better decision basis for developing the digital aspect of the public libraries.
DDL provides a platform for sharing articles, instructions and other editable content across public libraries.

6. A COMMON DIGITAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
DDL works to create a strong common digital public library - both locally and nationally.
Negotiation of common digital licences.
Operation and maintenance of common digital platforms where residents can interact with their public libraries.
Improvement in searching on the public libraries’ common digital platforms.
Access management, e.g. single sign-on to the public libraries’ common digital platforms.
Administration of the public libraries’ material database and other IT infrastructure.
Operational support aid for common digital library services.
Project grants for local development projects.

7. WHICH ROLE DOES DDL PLAY IN THE LIBRARIES’ DIGITALISATION PROCESS?
Dansk BiblioteksCenter (DBC) (public company that maintains and develops bibliographic and IT infrastructure in Danish libraries)
Public schools
Academic and research libraries
Culture
Joint library system (FBS)
DDL
Public libraries
Citizen services
Common digital library services
Publishers
Suppliers
Other
Municipalities