On 5 November 1997 the KB launched a new electronic network service. This service replaces not only Alexicon, the old World Wide Web service of the KB, but also the Advanced Information Workstation, a multimedia retrieval facility especially developed for users of the KB. The network service of the KB is bilingual (Dutch and English).
The KB is the national library of the Netherlands and functions as a deposit library, a research library and a library with unique national duties. The KB places its collections and services at the disposal of research in the humanities. Through the introduction of its new network service the KB offers a wide range of services and facilities to its users, both within the library itself and at a distance via the Internet.
The network service offers a variety of retrieval systems which can be used to consult the KB's collections. Some of these retrieval systems are accessible from all over the world via the Internet, others which are subject to special licenses are solely for visitors of the KB. It is also possible to retrieve many of the KB's electronic publications. These could be manuals, articles or descriptions of collections or treasures in the KB's possession. There are hundreds of splendid illustrations from the collections to look at, for example, mediaeval handwriting or book covers. The Library Expert Centre offers information about the organisation, projects and national duties. Finally, you can also use the KB's network service to find information held at other libraries and institutions through hyperlinks to other network services.
The network service of the KB can be found at:
http://www.kb.nl/
More information is available from:
Pieter Douma
Editor-in-chief Networked Information
Koninklijke Bibliotheek
Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5
PO Box 90407
2509 LK The Hague
The Netherlands
Email: pieter@python.kb.nl
5 November 1997