May / June 2001 Vol. 33, no. 3

A New Books Service at the National Library of Canada

The National Library of Canada (NLC) has begun an exciting project to improve service to Canadian publishers, booksellers, libraries and researchers. Using Internet-based technology, the NLC will build on our Cataloguing in Publication (CIP) Program to establish new working relationships with Canadian publishers. An interactive Web form will permit publishers to send the NLC information about their new books on-line. This information will be stored and made available to the public in NLC’s AMICUS database. Hypertext links in AMICUS records will permit clients to navigate to the Web site of the publisher, their local library, or an on-line bookseller. AMICUS records will also have links to tables of contents and cover art.

In short, more information than ever before will be made available to the reading public about new Canadian book titles.

This project complements the Department of Canadian Heritage program "Bringing Authors to Readers in a Digital Age: Transitions in the Canadian Book Industry." It is also a part of the NLC’s contribution to the Government On-Line (GOL) initiative, which stipulates that Federal Government services will be delivered on-line by 2004.

Partnerships within all levels of government and with private industry play an integral role in the success of GOL. We will create and strengthen partnerships with Canadian publishers, libraries, and booksellers and encourage their participation in this new service.