Scientific Information Services for Classical Studies - Propylaeum

• Applicants: Dr. Jochen Apel, since 10/2023; Dr. Klaus Ceynowa
• Subject Area: Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies ; Ancient History ; Greek and Latin Philology ; Classical, Roman, Christian and Islamic Archaeology ; Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: since 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 284352465

During the first two funding periods Propylaeum – Specialized Information Service Classics has been developed in close collaboration with the scientific community and managed to establish itself as fully integrated digital information service for eight different subject areas of Ancient Studies, offering direct access to scientific literature wherever possible. Propylaeum puts special emphasis on the importance of sustainability for its services in regard to interoperability and user needs. Increased value is achieved in the following fields of competence, developed and enhanced over the years by the applicants: “Provision of information resources”, “Information infrastructure and Search technologies”, “Digital publishing”, “Retro-digitisation and online publication of media relevant for current research”, “Linked Open Data - Digital Classics” and “Science communication”. By taking advantage of the synergetic effects of using and improving workflows and tools of various partner institutions Propylaeum aims to expand its nationwide provision of print or digital media and its specialized information services. Further development and profile building will focus on the continuation of systematically expanding the collection and especially on improving its online availability. Besides implementing national subject licenses and various other access modes for publications protected by copyright, Propylaeum will also expand its stock of digitised media available in Open Access, consisting of older or current literature searchable in full text as well as images. Providing all media, information and e-publishing services of the FID beyond its institutional boundaries exceeds the primary tasks and responsibilities of an academic library and enables researchers to access information independently of their location, thereby creating the perfect foundation for basic and top level research. Along with other relevant databases all information resources provided by Propylaeum are searchable via a joint search engine using up to date technology and facilitating research for users. In addition, the FID secures and sustains existing subject relevant information and aims to make use of the potential offered by the technical development of “Digital Classics”. Based on its already established network with the research community, the FID is supported by an academic advisory board. Further coordination with representatives of the community concerning the expansion and development of the information services provided by Propylaeum will be continuously kept up during the project and supplemented by a workshop.

• DFG Programme: Acquisition and Provision (Scientific Library Services and Information Systems)
• Participating Institution: Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (DAI); Universität Augsburg ; Philologisch-Historische Fakultät ; Lehrstuhl für Alte Geschichte
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Veit Probst, until 10/2023