Within the framework of Denmark’s Electronic Research Library the efforts to creating electronic content have first and foremost been concentrated on acquiring licenses for digitally born information material, including securing access to the latest information primarily for researchers and users. See also here.

In future focus will also be directed at the content which might materialise when digitising the retrospective, printed material collections which the research libraries hold.

With DEF retroconversion project an extensive programme has been launched for the conversion of the research libraries’ printed card catalogues to digital form. This prepares the ground for providing the user with extended possibilities of frequenting the libraries’ physical collections via up-to-date information search systems.

The physical collections which these catalogues and similar online library catalogues represent are central subjects in the discussion on prioritisation of the content to be digitised. This applies whether it is done in order to enhance the user’s access to a collections, extend access to the material for the researchers, improve the exploitation of the material used for educational/pedagogical purposes or for reasons to do with preservation.

Selection, definition and prioritisation as to which collections should be digitised are essential not only because of demand and needs, but also because the financial means available are hardly likely to cover a complete digitisation of all relevant library collections.