Representatives of members of the Global Legal Information Network (GLIN) had the chance to meet one another and exchange information during a conference at the Library Sept. 25-27.
Nine of GLIN's 11 member nations sent envoys to provide status reports on their experiences with the network and to view the Library's new TechCenter 21, a laboratory displaying technological advances in the field of law.
GLIN is a network, accessible on the Internet, in which member nations can access the full text of the laws of other members. By the end of the year, representatives from 15 countries will have completed GLIN training. Fifteen other countries are in various stages of proficiency in the program.
The participants were welcomed by Dr. Billington and Law Librarian Rubens Medina, as well as Nick Kozura, GLIN project manager, and Keith Ann Stiverson, special assistant to the law librarian.
Speaking to those attending, Dr. Billington said, "You are the most important members of the network, because you are the ones who have to make GLIN a success in your country. Technological developments in the last 20 years have made possible development of an electronic community."
In addition to the member nations, the United Nations, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and National Aeronautics and Space Administration sent representatives. "This is the kind of networking that shows how cooperation can work for the public good," Dr. Billington continued.
Dr. Medina backed up the Librarian's assertions, adding that the GLIN project directors "are the network." The objectives of the three-day conference, according to Dr. Medina were to:
- learn from each other,
- agree on guiding principles and
- affirm a tradition on which to base GLIN's future.
NASA attended the conference because it is exploring ways in which satellites could be used to reach GLIN members that have no access to the Internet.
"Our problems are common, and we are committed to seeking common solutions," Dr. Medina assured attendees. He also confirmed that there would be no unilateral decisions made regarding GLIN's operation, including by the Library -- "GLIN Central."
"All of the members have the same rights and duties with respect to the network," he said.
Dr. Medina also announced that the GLIN prototype was completed and would remain unchanged for at least the next two years "to assure stability."
Nick Kozura, whom Dr, Medina introduced as the GLIN technical expert, gave an overview of the technical requirements for GLIN participation, concluding that a nation can get online for less that $5,000 for hardware and (free) software.
The morning of Sept. 26 found attendees gathered in the Digital Library Visitors' Center, where Chief of Staff Suzanne Thorin complimented the work of the Law Library in making GLIN a reality. "In 1987, a digital library was only a dream," she said.
"Then we conducted a pilot called American Memory and discovered that there was a need and interest in obtaining materials from the Library in electronic format," she said. American Memory was a 1990-94 pilot that tested in 44 sites across the country the viability of offering digitized materials from the Library's collections.
She also pointed out how GLIN can help members of Congress who need to know the latest information regarding the laws of other nations. "Think of how your libraries have changed with the availability of digital materials," she concluded.
Ms. Thorin was followed by Judith Stork-Kittleman, systems engineering manager in Information Technology Services. She provided an overview of THOMAS, a legislative database from the Library of the operations of the U.S. Congress.
The final day, Sept. 27, offered closing remarks from Dr. Medina and a signing ceremony in which the GLIN members affirmed their commitment to the project and to observing its guiding principles.
