The library associates - Heriot-Watt University, Bath Spa University College, University of Hull and University of East Anglia represented by Shirleen Craig, Ann Siswell, Christine Pinder and Kitty Inglis respectively, met on 23 September to view and provide a first evaluation of the Agora prototype. In the course of the 3 1/2 hour session, the associates had an opportunity to view all functions of the prototype, received a background introduction to the project from Greg Newton-Ingham and contributed to a wide-ranging and stimulating discussion of some of the issues relating to hybrid library gateway systems raised by the prototype.

Formal written evaluation of the prototype is being provided by the associates this week, with further demonstrations and evaluation planned at each of the associate sites for the third week of October. All the feedback will be gathered, analysed and used to provide the basis for the specification of the first production iteration, planned for unveiling next summer.

The feedback gathered from participants’ comments at this first demonstration has already proved valuable in providing ideas and direction to the project. We look forward to further evaluation and development of the prototype and production versions of Agora in partnership with the associate libraries.

The meeting organised by UKOLN to discuss practical options for describing collections took place at the British Library on 2 September. A small working group was set up to develop a draft attribute set. This draft will be circulated on lis-elib-tech at the beginning of October.

We have been asked to participate in several forthcoming events. The next one is a hybrid libraries regional workshop on ‘structuring approaches to the management of information services’ at the University of Leeds on 15 October. Greg Newton-Ingham and Rosemary Russell will give a presentation on Agora and lead breakout sessions.

A joint article on ‘Realising the the hybrid library’ has been written by the five eLib hybrid library projects for a forthcoming issue of D-lib. The Agora contribution focused on interoperability and information landscapes.

We will revert to the normal schedule next month, with the bulletin appearing mid-month.

Cheers, Rosemary