STERNA addresses two target groups:

1. Digital library users, and
2. Content providers for digital libraries

STERNA results for users of digital libraries

The primary project result for users will be a theme-oriented digital library of semantically related digital resources. The main topic of this digital library will be birds with a special focus on the following audiences:

• Bird watchers
• A digitally savvy, young audience
• Tourists and boaters at sea
• The "humble rambler" (the common person wandering in the countryside)

In addition, there will be a use case for Europeana which will focus on identifying and selecting available collections within the STERNA consortium that are also of relevance and interest to the more general audience addressed by Europeana.

On the library site, users will also be able to use a set of easy-to-use tools to actively contribute their own content.

A first prototype of this information space will be available in December 2009, the final version, which will be hosted by the Dutch natural history museum Naturalis, will be up and running in June 2010.

Back to top

STERNA results for content providers for digital libraries

Another primary objective of the STERNA project is to enable especially small content providers to participate in the European Digital Library initiative.

Besides offering the technological architecture (based on semantic web technologies) and a set of tools to help institutions to connect their resources to the digital library, the project will also publish a series of publications, guidelines and demonstrators. These results will help content providers to make informed decisions with regards to the (financial) resources and skills needed to join the digital library initiative. They will also offer them the kind of practical support they need to participate in the network of institutions that provide content to the STERNA digital library.

Concrete results for the digital library community include:

• a tested and validated methodology on how to enrich digital content resources in an economically viable way;

• best practice guidelines on how to set up and install the STERNA architecture on one's own site to connect to the STERNA network;

• tutorials and online demonstrators on how to use the STERNA tools for content enrichment (the STERNA information space will be showcased and demonstrated to potential network partners in a European-wide roadshow during 2010); and finally,

• various partnership agreements for content providers that want to become network members, at different levels of involvement and commitment.

Back to top

Publication time table

12/2008: Technology watch report

06/2009: Best practice guidelines on implementing the STERNA architecture

06/2009: Methodology for content enrichment

09/2009: STERNA digital library prototypes

11/2009: Partnership agreements

06/2010: STERNA digital library - final version

06/2010: Online demonstrators of STERNA showcases

06/2010: STERNA resource package online (methodologies, tools, guidelines and tutorials)

06/2010 - 11/2010: European roadshow

Back to top