Telematics for libraries - exploitation of research results
The European Commission, DG XIII, hosted a concertation meeting on the exploitation of research results in the Libraries sector of the Telematics Applications specific RTD programme on 17-18 June 1996. The aim of the meeting was to exchange information and experiences, both of problems specific to the libraries sector and of problems common to other Community RTD programmes. Presentations of exploitation efforts from other programmes were made, with case studies from RACE (specific RTD programme for telecommunications technologies under the Third Framework Programme) and the transport sector of the Telematics Applications programme. In addition, "The Technology Broker" outlined an exploitation plan which they developed with funding from the VALUE programme (specific programme for the dissemination and exploitation of results under the Third Framework Programme). The discussion on libraries-specific problems covered a wide variety of situations, looking at national libraries, public libraries and academic libraries. Issues such as commercial and non-commercial exploitation, organizational and legal issues, and products versus services were discussed. With some 60 participants, a large number of cases were presented, raising a wide variety of problems, solutions and good ideas. The Commission is planning to hold a follow-up workshop, in autumn 1996, covering issues such as national and international stimulation mechanisms, private and venture capital and exploitation in Central and Eastern Europe.