In the context of its Digital Libraries Initiative, the European Commission has now launched a public consultation on the next steps for Europeana, Europe's digital library, archive and museum. It is based on the Communication "Europeana - Next Steps", adopted on 28 August.

The questions of the consultation deal amongst others with the way in which the private sector can be involved in the further development of Europeana through public private partnerships, and how in-copyright content can be made searchable through Europeana.

We would invite you to participate in this consultation and to express your opinion about the future of the European digital library.

You can find the relevant texts on the homepage of the digital libraries initiative, scrolling down to 'last news and further information': http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/digital_libraries/index_en.htm