Virtual libraries try to combine traditional library services with new document types and services. 1 The first generation of virtual libraries mostly tried to offer services based on a library-centric view of information retrieval systems.2 New virtual libraries try to concentrate on user's needs, but this is often easier said than done. Restrictions like copyright laws, technical limitations and the like often make it difficult to meet user requirements. A number of studies documented these needs: easy-to-use, comprehensive yet focussed search, and easy access to print and online documents, subject specific, yet not too restricted to specific areas.The new EconBiz-portal, relaunched in August 2010, has a disciplinary focus on business and economics and related subjects. It includes about 6 million records from different databases. Based on search-engine technology Lucene/Solr, combined with a metadata framework developed by the ZBW, it allows fast, convenient and complex searches. The integration of the Standard-Thesaurus-for Economics supports researchers by suggesting key words and related terms. Information on the availability of the documents is also included. Documents can either be accessed online or ways are shown to material that is available in print only. Journals Online & Print, a service developed by the German Electronic Journals Library (EZB) and the German Union Catalogue of Serials (ZDB) is included to provide easy access to all forms of journals. 3In addition, services like an event calendar, a tutorial on how to find information and an online-reference desk help to cater to the user's complex needs.The new EconBiz-portal was developed by the ZBW in close cooperation with the USB Cologne. Major parts of the search engine framework were developed by a company specialized in information technology. Tamara Pianos Liber Quarterly Volume 20 Issue 1 2010This paper elaborates on the extraction of users' requirements from different studies, the deduction of functional requirements, and, finally, the implementation of the portal with all its ups and downs.Key Words: user requirements; user needs; subject portal; virtual libraryThe User -the Unknown/Well-known/Erratic Being What does the user want? And who is the user? Or rather who are our users? Virtual libraries address a number of different users: from digital native students who think they know how to use the internet, but often show a remarkable lack of information competency, to middle-aged researchers who started research when card catalogues and librarians where your best way to find what you wanted. One expects the latter group to be familiar with terms like 'key word' or 'thesaurus' etc., and to know about Boolean searches. According to a ZBW study, there are also quite a number of 'older' researchers who display a lack of sophisticated search skills, and therefore the groups cannot easily be divided into those who know how to do an expert search and those who do not. In addition, according to a new JISC study the Google generation is...

Before the advent of the internet users had to physically visit libraries and other cultural institutions in order to search, find and access content. With the emergence and massive use of the World Wide Web and associated tools and technologies this situation has changed drastically. If content is to be found and used, it must be present where users do their daily digital work. The aim of the EU project EEXCESS (http://eexcess.eu/) is to inject the content into the working environments of the users. In this paper, we show some of the approaches, use cases and technical implementations we developed in the project.

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PurposeThis paper seeks to describe Goportis, the new German service for document supply.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the environment for obtaining high quality information in Germany and the approach of Goportis.FindingsThe advantages of Goportis are described. Goportis will be the host of the 11th ILDS conference in Hannover, Germany, in 2009.Originality/valueGoportis is a new service that started in 2008 and this is the first article to describe its origins and characteristics.

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