Volume 31, Issue 2

Described is a project, which was processed by the University Library of Frankfurt/Main together with the HeBIS network and the SRZ company (Berlin). The objective was to convert already digitized image catalogues into MAB structured records which could be directly inserted in the HeBIS database. An amount of 2,7million images should be processed on the basis of equivalent algorithms. After an intensive preparation phase the conversion via automatic processing delivered a well accepted result.

The objective of this article is the transfer of learned theoretical knowledge within the course “quality rating of information resources” into a real experience on the basis of a concrete task. In detail there is a specific question sent to various information resources which are evaluated and compared by a unified matrix of criteria. The resources belong to categories like professional information/databases, the Internet (passive offers) and the Web 2.0 (interactive offers). The evaluation criteria include correctness, completeness and relevance of the offers and also their treatment, timeliness and their development process especially in the age of the Web 2.0. In this connection the results show significant deviations between the different resources, and so it is assumed that the usage of a mixture of different sources will deliver the highest quality.

With the “Recommendations for Research Infrastructures” of the German Council for Science and Humanities in Spring 2011 numerous guidelines and suggestions for reorganization were submitted, particularly concerning information infrastructures in Germany. At the same time serious changes in this area over the last few years have played a significant role. In this contribution the suggestions and assumptions are discussed on the basis of change and development in information infrastructures in the last 50 years in Germany, referring in particular to the recommendations the German Council for Science and Humanities made accordingly at earlier stages.