Over the last 20 years, b-on - Biblioteca do Conhecimento Online (Online Knowledge Library) has provided unlimited access to thousands of scientific journals and ebooks online from some of the most important scientific content providers. Today, the community linked to this service of FCCN, FCT's digital services, gathered at the Polytechnic of Viseu to celebrate this legacy and mission.
Celebrating two decades of b-on's existence, bringing together partners and friends. This was the main objective of the event held today, November 20, at the Polytechnic of Viseu, which also served to reflect on the role and future of this digital service provided by the Foundation for Science and Technology through FCCN.
The day's program was divided into several moments. After a first panel dedicated to the genesis of this digital service, there were sessions focusing on its construction, impact and future, as well as a symbolic toast celebrating these two decades of existence. Throughout the day, this journey allowed us to "reflect on the past, present and future of this long and excellent cooperation", says b-on on its website.
During the event, some of the metrics that illustrate the impact of this service on the day-to-day life of the teaching and research community were presented. First of all, the number of users has been increasing, now standing at around 480,000 users. The total number of downloads has also grown significantly: 2024 meant, for the first time, reaching the target of 20 million annual downloads.
Another of b-on's dimensions with the greatest impact are the transformative agreements, revealed b-on's science manager, Simone Zacarias, which allow b-on to "contribute to the production of scientific content in open access". "We estimate a 'saving' of 11.6 million euros resulting from these agreements in 2024," she said, and since the creation of these agreements in 2022, b-on has already made an accumulated saving of 27.6 million euros for authors.
"Passion has been mentioned several times today and this is one of the elements that justifies the success of b-on," Miguel Andrade, the area director of FCCN, FCT's digital services, said at one point during today's event. Highlighting "the passion of the people who work and have worked over the years on this project", Miguel Andrade chose another of the "decisive factors" of its action and which allows it to increase the impact of the work carried out, he concluded: "The collective interest, through collaboration between institutions".
"The future of b-on lies in embracing the technologies and opportunities available to it," said Simone Zacarias, looking ahead to what the Online Knowledge Library expects in the coming years. This idea was complemented by the vice-rector of the University of Coimbra, Delfim Leão. "We don't know exactly what's going to happen in the field of science," he stressed, before adding: "b-on must continue to anticipate the future."
And the future of b-on was the focus of the words of the Director of the Scientific Information Area of FCCN, FCT's digital services, João Mendes Moreira, at the time of the congratulations: "As up to now, for the next few years, we are counting on you and we will be here to serve you".
To find out more about this event, visit the event website.
