One point you may want to consider is whether the COM documents will be on EUR-LEX permanently, or for as long as you would normally keep paper copies.
I still maintain paper files of EP reports/debates/minutes, despite the fact that they are all easily available on the EUROPARL website, because I have not been able to get an absolute assurance that they will continue to be available on a permanent basis. And there have been one or two instances of reports "disappearing" from the website for no good reason, or of files being corrupted and the documents being inaccessible. Then it's back to the old-fashioned paper files!
We have an obligation to maintain an archive of EP documents from 1973 onwards, so we can't run the risk of abandoning our paper filing and then finding out ten years from now that the documents are no longer available.
Whatever your normal practice is for keeping documents, it is would be a good idea to check that EUR-lex will be adequate for your purposes.
avis
Avis Furness
Librarian
European Parliament UK Office
>>> Library - European Documentation Centre <[log in to unmask]> 02/09/01 12:56 >>>
Hi everyone!
Apologies for cross-postings and thanks in advance for any opinions on the
subject.
I've just had the latest resume from Eur-Op, in which it says that EDCs
can elect to no longer receive COM documents as they are available online
through Eur-Lex in the Legislation under Preparation section. How will
this affect other EDCS? On the one hand we're rapidly running out of space
at Reading, and would probably have to make some decision on open access
to COM documents within a year. On the other hand, what are our duties as
repositories of EU information? Also, Reading only allows access to the
Internet via University of Reading password, so how would this chime in
with giving access to members of the public? If they came looking for COM
documents, we would not be able to give them access if we only had the
electronic version.
Confused? All opinions gratefully received!
Christine Milne
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EDC Librarian European Documentation Centre
Main Library Whiteknights
Telephone + (0)118 931 8782 The University of Reading
Fax + (0)118 931 2335 Whiteknights, PO Box 223
E-mail [log in to unmask] READING RG6 6AE UK
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