Developments in European information issues: Networks and relays – Services – Products, December 1998

UK Eurobases User Group

Countless improvements have been made to the databases over the last decade in terms of ease of use, currency, and range of content. One contribution to that has been the lobbying role played by groups such as the UK Eurobases User Group. The group was founded originally in the 1989 as the CELEX User Group but broadened its scope with a new name in 1992. It meets twice yearly to hear about the latest changes and has been able to host speakers from Eurobases to find out directly what is planned and offer feedback. As Eurobases databases drift off to the web and become the responsibility of various Directorates General, that central focus is disappearing but the monitoring and lobbying role is no less important. Gaining credibility and making appropriate contacts was a hard won battle with positive results over the course of the last decade, but now it is becoming once again increasingly difficult to find out and reach whoever has direct responsibility.