CDL Opens Its "Digital Doors"

The CDL is pleased to announce the release of the CDL integrated Web site today, January 20, 1999 at http://www.cdlib.org/.  CDL readers are aware of the many activities — establishing shared collections principles and structures, licensing new resources for the UC system, opening the Environmental Information Project website, enhancing the Web version of the Melvyl® Catalog, and planning for the Request and Update services, to name a few — that preceded the establishment of this website which now serves as the gateway to the co-library.  With the availability of the website the California Digital Library officially opens its “digital doors.”

The CDL web re-organizes and updates descriptive information about the CDL.  More importantly it provides access to the browsable and searchable Directory of Collections and Services.  The Directory was developed based upon broad-ranging discussions with Library staff.  It provides unified access to electronic journals, databases, and finding aids in the Online Archive of California.  It complements the Melvyl Catalog, as well as local campus library catalogs, the California Periodicals database, and the many abstracting and indexing databases by directing people to those resources or to electronic journals and other resources.  The Directory is being designed to be collaboratively maintained and to allow a “campus view” of available digital resources at the user’s choice.  (See the Directory’s User Guide at (http://www.cdlib.org/guides/) for more information.)  Specific views, including subject-based views, can also be created for a particular library’s “entrance” to the CDL.

The opening of the CDL web reflects the work and collaboration of individuals and organizations throughout the University as well as of CDL friends and partners.  The many milestones leading to this point are also products of the “One University – One Library” vision and the co-investment of energy and resources by all of the campuses that vision entails.  The work is, of course, ongoing. Watch CDLINFO for news about continuing progress in shared collections, evaluation and education programs for CDL resources, new tool and service development, and shared strategies for innovations in scholarly communication.

Thank you for the support and enthusiasm you have shown for the CDL.  Be sure to send us comments and questions via our advisory groups, contact with CDL staff, or the feedback button that appears on every CDL page.