On the 24th August 2006 the European Commission (EC) announced recommendations to Member States with regard to the digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material and digital preservation. The recommendations were published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEC) on the 31st August 2006. Official Journal of the European Union (OJEC) 31 Aug. 2006

The EC recommendations are part of i2010 Digital Libraries initiative for more information visit the portal Digital Libraries Initiative

Although the PSI Directive Article 1 sub paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) exclude public service broadcasters, educational and research establishments and cultural establishments the above mentioned announcement will have an impact on the re-use of PSI.

As an example of putting ancient manuscripts online visit the UK National Archives web site as this is an example of a document held by a public sector information holder. The service puts online a manuscript that is 920 years old.

Other parts of the world are undertaking similar actions to bring ancient archives online. A simple example of how this sort of information once online can be used visit the following Australian web site which is commemorating 400 years of Australia appearing on the map...the first map being one produced by the Dutch! Australia on the Map 1606-2006

It would be useful to monitor this development within the ePSIplus project as it impinges upon data and information archive management, digital preservation, online digital information and value added services. The Australian example above is an example of civil society ? the voluntary sector bringing together maps and associated information from various sources together in one web site.

If you have similar examples within your country to the UK and Australian online portals mentioned above then please provide the web references so that we can use them as examples and case studies (send to: Chris Corbin, ePSI plus Analyst)