A pioneer in the online delivery of educational resources has found a new home. Earlier this month, the National Science Foundation announced that the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) will maintain the Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE). DLESE is the leading resource for online geoscience education. It predates NSDL by one year and was a key player in NSDL’s origin and early years, sharing an office and several staff members. Its community-based governance structure served as the model for NSDL’s governance structure of working groups, committees, and an advisory council.

DLESE had previously been funded through a five-year grant from NSF. During that grant period (2002-2007), the DLESE archive and program center office were located at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), which operates NCAR. NCAR’s library will now assume development and curation responsibilities for DLESE, and its Computational and Information System Laboratory (CISL) will provide systems and operational support. The agreement means DLESE’s popular collections will remain free, there will be no interruption in service, and the site will continue to grow and serve the needs of geoscience communities.

“DLESE was an early pioneer in NSF’s efforts to establish digital science libraries,” said Jill Karsten, program director for diversity and education in NSF’s Directorate for Geosciences. “Once again, the DLESE program is helping to lead the way in science education by identifying creative new strategies for sustaining library operations, and for keeping these important educational resources available to a global community of educators and students.” (read the press release).

Digital libraries nationwide are exploring ways to maintain continuity in a time of rapid technological change and uncertainties in funding. “Providing a long-term home for this important resource supports NCAR’s educational mission and fits with the NCAR Library’s plans to provide increased digital services to the broader scientific and educational community,” said Mary Marlino, director of e-Science and the library at NCAR. Leave your comment about DLESE’s new home at the Whiteboard Talkback blog.