CORDIS Archive

Telematics for Libraries - Projects

CANDLE

Updated: 22 NOV 99

Additional information is available from the CANDLE website. (http://www.sbu.ac.uk/litc/candle/)

Action Line

Action line B: Telematics applications for interconnected library services.

Call Topic(s)

Call topic 6 bis: Services for the acquisition and supply of materials to libraries.

Project description

CANDLE aims to demonstrate how the digital management system developed in the CaseLibrary project can be used to improve the handling of electronic publications acquired by libraries through collaboration with publishers and supplier agencies. The experience of large international publishing and supplier firms will be used as a basis for realistic investigation of how digital library management systems can be used to explore new economic models. This will provide evidence in support of rights management and will demonstrate the benefits of migrating from current library systems towards more open solutions.

Technical approach

CANDLE will add Windows NT server and client support to the Sun Solaris and Windows 3.x platforms.
ZNavigator (developed under the CaseLibrary project) will also be used for information retrieval in the CANDLE environment.

• Enhancing functionality for users is defined by the library systems administrator, implemented through services provided by a Task Manager that enables client software to interact directly with resources on the network.
• Administration client will be ported to NT and used to define resources such as electronic journal services, online catalogues, networked CD-ROMs, etc. These will be grouped into resource groups for users who will be given unit accounts for various time periods.
• Users will be offered a wide range of full text electronic journal information resources and associated services via networks within or outside the local library.
• Publishers will be able to rely on the library to prevent unauthorised activities and will be offered opportunities to target specific publications for specific audiences to boost demand.

Key issues

No economic or technical models have yet been accepted as suitable for supporting the move towards electronic publishing or the shift from traditional holdings towards access to electronic resources. The main issues addressed in the project include:

• Providing enhanced functionality to lock the digital library into publisher services, including control over access and payment of rights.
• Providing a controlled management environment for users, librarians and information providers.
• Achieving cost reductions for users by optimising publications handling and encouraging shared licensing and access.

Impact and results

To achieve improved levels of user service, libraries require IT management functions which until now have been lacking in their automation systems, in particular for rights management, distributed access and security.

CANDLE focuses on applying an existing library management system in environments which encourage publishers to offer electronic products to libraries in order to meet user needs by addressing licence metering, control, feedback, monitoring, rights management, access control and promotion issues.

Once CANDLE is completed, the product can be prepared for marketing with little additional effort. Publishers will benefit by providing an improved tool for reaching users and managing costs. Libraries will benefit via tools facilitating management, control and security. Users will benefit from user-friendly interfaces and from cost reductions as a result of optimised handling.

Deliverables

The main deliverables, not all of which are public, include:

• State-of-the-art in access control
• Library user requirements
• CACTUS* User Manual
• Electronic publishers integration document
• Pilot system software
• Evaluation and Validation reports
• Annual and Final project reports.

*CACTUS is the CaseLibrary Access Control Token Server.

Additional information is available from the contact below and from the project web site:
CANDLE website.

Coordinator

Other Partners