2nd Global Research Library 2020 Workshop (GRL2020)
"Shaping a Roadmap for the Future of Research Libraries"
Tirrenia Pisa, Italy
27-28 March 2008
As advances in research and knowledge collection continue to gain momentum, so too does the development of Digital Libraries which are designed to sustain and make more readily available the work of researchers globally. Global Research Library 2020, which was set up to facilitate this process, held its second workshop in Tirrenia, Italy last week.
The two day event which was co-hosted by Microsoft Corporation and CNR-ISTI was attended by 45 of the world’s most highly regarded experts in the field of Digital Libraries. Prior to the event each participant completed a position paper outlining their vision for research libraries. These were published and acted as a basis for the event agenda. Points raised included the importance of moving towards Digital Libraries with more User-focus and open access as well as how to improve interoperability, sustainability and preservation.
Presentations were given by a number of Digital Repository experts such as Lisabeth Wilson (University of Washington), Donatella Castelli (CNR-ISTI) and Malcolm Read (Joint Information Systems Committee).
Perspectives from Policy bodies such as the European Commission and the National Science Foundation were offered by Carlos Morais Pires and Lucy Nowell respectively.
Presentations on a variety of domains were also offered by participants. These included insights into the state of the art and requirements of the Biodiversity research community, the High Energy Physics community, the Earth System Science community, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and a perspective into the rise of Digital repositories in India.
Valuable time was dedicated to in-depth discussion on developing a vision of how Digital Libraries should move forward and the various challenges that are involved with implementation of such a vision. A number of far reaching recommendations were made which will shape the future of Digital Libraries as we near 2020. These, as well as a details of presentations given will be available in the GRL2020 Post Event Report which will be published shortly.