PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Continuous development since 2003

Kramerius has been providing solutions for accessing digitized documents since 2003. The system is continuously improved in content management and accessibility features thanks to long-term collaboration among libraries.

Digitization standards

The Kramerius system is continuously updated to support the display and processing of documents digitized according to the standards and formats used by the National Digital Library (NDK). These standards, which are mandatory for applicants seeking funding under the VISK 7 subprogram, are based on international standards developed by the Library of Congress (LoC).

The Kramerius development team works closely with the NDK Format Committee as well as individual working groups and actively participates in the creation and implementation of new recommendations in practice.

Current Development

New Features of the Czech Digital Library (2024–2025)

The development aims to create new components for the Czech Digital Library and add new features that will increase the robustness and reliability of the entire system.

Key changes include the modernization of the Kramerius 7 core, a technological update of the Czech Digital Library (new versions of Java and other components), splitting the core into autonomous components for better scalability and speed, implementation of parallel processing and load balancing, and significant improvements in indexing and advanced search.

The project also includes the development of a new version of the web client with performance optimization, code refactoring, and implementation of UX analysis conclusions to enhance the user experience. The new client will support the modern core API and discontinue support for older system versions.

Extension of the Kramerius System for Users with Special Needs (2025)

This development builds on long-term discussions with libraries and universities and enables selected users with special needs to access digital publications in compliance with copyright law. The development will provide:

  • On-demand generation and downloading of dual-layer PDFs optimized for assistive technologies, with download limits and security measures.
  • The ability to download the full text of documents in plain text format, preserving structure and ensuring easy use with assistive technologies.
  • Deployment of a local language model for automatic OCR error correction, summarization, translation, and other advanced functions.
  • Development of a user interface optimized for visually impaired users to facilitate navigation and use of the digital library.

The project is carried out in cooperation with the National Library of the Czech Republic, Charles University, Masaryk University, and other experts.

Funding

Development funding is provided primarily from grants from the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic through the NAKI, VISK, and NPO subsidy programs. Since 2019, development has also been supported and linked to the development of the LINDAT/CLARIAH-CZ research infrastructure, which is included in the national roadmap for large research infrastructures.

2024

VISK – Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Kramerius System

Testing of artificial intelligence features, including natural language querying, summarization, and semantic search in digital library data.

2023

VISK – Development of Virtual Collections in the Kramerius System

Development of new virtual collection features in Kramerius 7, including hierarchical collection ordering, rich descriptions, document ordering management, clipping sharing, browsing between documents within collections, and enhanced search capabilities.

2018 - 2022

NAKI – RightLib: Electronic Access to Copyright-Protected PublicationsNAKI – RightLib: Elektronické zpřístupnění chráněných publikací

A project focused on creating an environment for accessing copyright-protected digital publications through libraries. Among other achievements, the project ensured the technical operation of access to out-of-commerce works and temporary unlocking of Czech digital libraries during the Covid-19 pandemic.

2021

VISK – Support for PDF and ePUB in the Kramerius System and Preparation for Access to Electronic Legal Deposit

Development of features to improve support for PDF and ePUB formats in Kramerius, enabling libraries to provide access to e-publications. It also included preparation of a specific feature for limited display of electronic legal deposit, to be deployed in the central Kramerius operated by the National Library of the Czech Republic.

2016

VISK – Analysis of migration to the new Fedora 4 repository

Analysis of migration to the new Fedora 4 repository and decision to use an alternative repository. Support for project management on GitHub, communication with users, and technical support for libraries. Development of new features based on user requirements.

2012 - 2015

NAKI: Česká digitální knihovna a nástroje pro zajištění komplexních digitalizačních procesů

The project created the Czech Digital Library (ČDK), which aggregates metadata continuously harvested from digital libraries operated in the Czech Republic. ČDK became a significant source of digital data and one of the main pillars for providing centralized services within the Czech Republic, in accordance with the Czech Library Development Concept 2011–2014.

2014

Release of version K5 with REST API and a new user interface. Initiation of development for mobile clients and a new web client.

2010

Release of Kramerius 4, which uses the open source Fedora repository (developed in the USA) as the system core. Funding was provided by a Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic project focused on digitized document records and system development for access. The project also financed the development of the Digitization Registry.

2003

Start of development of the open source Kramerius system by the National Library of the Czech Republic. The Academy of Sciences Library of the Czech Republic cooperated from the beginning and became the guarantor of development in 2008.