Summary of developments on the 2.0 version of the Hungárián Electronic Library MEK

Abstract

The HEL appeared almost simultaneously with the proliferation of the Internet in Hungary. Its primary goal has been to collect, produce a catalogue and provide public service of Hungárián or Hungary-related electronic publications. Presently it contains more than 4300 scientific and fine literature items. It is one of the most well-known Hungárián electronic service that has been funded from 1999 onwards by the Hungárián National Library OSZK. HEL, however, needs somé renewal, since its creators take into ac¬count increased user requirements and standard solutions that have been used frequently worldwide. The most important charactenstics of the 2.0 version under construction are: the use of open and free software (Linux, PHP, MySQL, Zebra, Search++); detailed bibliographic description with data formats suitable for cooperation with other systems (XML, MARC, Dublin Core); formation of a spectacular and easy-to-use Web surface; the generálion, in addition to digital books, of an Electronic Periodica Archive (EPA). The new service is expected to be launched in the beginning of 2003, but a demonstration version can be tested by now on the Web page of http://mek.oszk.hu. The old 1.0 version can be used further on, at the http://mek.iif.hu address serving 50-60 thousand visitors monthly.