Specialized information services
FID-network – a reliable partner for science and research
Over recent years, we have significantly expanded collaboration within the FID network (Specialized information services) as a unified system. This strong structure ensures the coordinated development of Fachinformationsdienste—both content-wise and technically. The goal is to create transparent, interoperable offerings that are optimally aligned with the needs of the research community. The management of the network is overseen by the FID Steering Committee (FID-LG), which includes representatives from the supporting institutions. Together with the FID Working Group (AG FID), where project leaders and subject-specific responsible persons from the institutions collaborate, they steer the strategic direction and ongoing development of the network.
diversity and individuality
Within the FID network, the diversity of all FID is transformed into a strong, cohesive entity—a work-partitioned, interconnected system with distributed focal points. Common standards, broadly used services, and especially interoperability and reusability of technologies are key principles—they enhance the utility for all and improve the overall performance of the network. Closer collaboration among all FID generates greater added value for everyone and taps into the collective potential to develop a connected FID network. The individual contributions of each FID to this interconnected system are required by the DFG and must be clearly demonstrated in applications for long-term funding of Fachinformationsdienste, emphasizing alignment with scientific needs and the added value over basic services.
traditionally up to date
The FID network aims to continue the long-standing tradition of cooperative scientific literature and information provision in Germany. Its origins in regional and decentralized literature supply trace back to the early 20th century, with the structural foundation in the Federal Republic of Germany established from 1949 through the first DFG Special Collection Area Plan. As a comprehensive structure, the network of Fachinformationsdienste (FID) was further developed following the 2019 program evaluation conducted by the DFG and the subsequent process of self-organization.
focus: standards
The goal of the FID network is to operate more efficiently and economically within this overall framework through coordinated, transparent, and sustainable division of tasks, while facilitating interdisciplinary use via unified standards. The principle of subsidiarity is applied: the design of individual Fachinformationsdienste is primarily guided by the needs of the respective disciplinary communities. Shared standards and services are developed where they are meaningful in terms of content, technical feasibility, and economic efficiency.
strategy and FIDplus
The first strategy paper 2022-2024, developed by the FID-LG and the AG FID, marked the first roadmap for network development, which was endorsed by the Committee on Scientific Libraries and Information Systems (AWBI). Key points included increasing the visibility of the FID network as a unified system, intensifying collaboration among FID, and strengthening coordination in technical and infrastructural areas. For the latter, the Technology Board was established as a committee tasked with examining infrastructures and technologies for reusability and synergy potential, as well as driving further developments. Building on the 2022–2024 action plan, the FID network has set a joint agenda for 2026 to 2028. This agenda emphasizes dialogue with the scientific community and its organizations, the collaborative development of standards and services, fostering innovation, interoperability, knowledge exchange, and technology transfer. The action plan also supports the launch of FIDplus (DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft - Förderprogramm „Fachinformationsdienste für die Wissenschaft“) and provides a foundation for the DFG’s planned evaluation of this funding line.
focus: collaboration
The collaboration within the FID network, which has been expanded in recent years as a comprehensive structure, ensures the coordinated conceptual, content-related, and especially technical development of the FID. The aim is to establish an interoperable organization of services that is also optimized both in terms of content and technology. The management of the FID network is carried out by the Steering Committee (FID-LG), which includes the leadership of the institutions supporting the FID. This is complemented by the cooperation with the Working Group of FID (AG FID), where project leaders and the subject-specific personnel responsible within the institutions work together.
