vascoda Quality Management
Project description
vascoda is an interdisciplinary Web portal for scientific information in Germany.
vascoda brings together the Web services of numerous prestigious science libraries and information institutions in one place. By systematically combining a range of different sources within a single portal, vascoda offers users an integrated scientific information system that provides access to electronic full texts, document delivery services and pay-per-view options.
vascoda is the nucleus of the "German Digital Library".
Try it out at: http://www.vascoda.de
Within the scope of the “vascoda Content” sub-project, the ZB MED led the Content Working Group (AG Content) and engaged in joint contract negotiations. Pay-per-view agreements were signed with a number of national and international publishers. The group carried out several studies on topics of current interest – such as digital rights management and the factors that make scientific portal successful – and ascertained the need for a quality management system.
In the second phase of funding, Münster University Library (ULB Münster) was brought on board to help conduct the joint project “Quality Management and Evaluation”. Key results of this project included the development of performance indicators, extensive user surveys and usability tests. vascoda’s analyses, studies and experience continue to benefit the numerous libraries associated with vascoda. The wealth of experience acquired within this project has enabled knowledge to be transferred to other projects and products.
Development
The aim of the project is to introduce a quality management system into vascoda to improve what the portal offers, with a primary focus on the needs of its users. The team is developing and applying performance indicators with quality targets for vascoda and its partners. This involves identifying weaknesses, developing solutions and assisting with implementation.
The project is also helping to lay the foundations for setting up a permanent quality management system within vascoda. The methods and structures developed by the team are being adapted to new technologies and conditions.
Reference is made at all times to the results of the previous project “vascoda Content”.
Cooperation partners
The aim of this joint project involving the TIB Hannover, ULB Münster and ZB MED is to establish vascoda as an interdisciplinary portal for scientific information in Germany. vascoda provides comprehensive online access to the databases, bibliographical reference systems and full text collections of specialist information institutions and science libraries as well as specific information resources from expert communities. vascoda systematically combines the quality-assured information services of vascoda partners
Funding
German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (see also: digital library forum)
(Funding term: 01.07.2005 - 31.12.2007)
