On 31 July 2026, the National and University Library (NUK) officially completed the eKnjiga project, one of its key initiatives for the digital transformation of services for publishers and library users. As part of Slovenia’s national e-Kultura programme, the project has delivered three major innovations: the new Publisher Portal, a redesigned NUK website featuring the digital assistant Vid, and NUK’s first online store.
A single digital entry point for publishers
The project’s central achievement is the Publisher Portal, which brings together the key publishing procedures and services offered by NUK within a single digital environment. Previously, publishers had to navigate multiple systems, online forms, email communication, and the Svarog platform to obtain identifiers, CIP records, and submit legal deposit copies. The new portal consolidates these processes into one streamlined, transparent, and fully digital service.
Publishers can now use a single platform to:
The portal was developed in close collaboration with publishers and other stakeholders from Slovenia’s book sector, whose feedback helped shape its functionality. The project also brought together NUK specialists in cataloguing, publishing, legal deposit, metadata, and information technology, ensuring that the platform responds to real user needs.
A key feature of the portal is its support for the international ONIX standard, enabling standardized metadata exchange between publishers, distributors, booksellers, libraries, and other information systems while reducing duplicate data entry.
Continuing development beyond the project
Reflecting on the completion of the project, project manager Bakir Toskić emphasized that the launch marks the beginning rather than the end of the portal’s development:
“I am pleased that we have successfully completed the eKnjiga project and, after a year of intensive work, delivered the new Publisher Portal to its users. Although the project has officially concluded, the portal will continue to evolve. Future upgrades will be guided by users’ everyday experience, while new modules and integrations with other information systems are already in development. I believe the Publisher Portal will become an indispensable tool for publishers and an important source of content for the Digital Library of Slovenia and the future cultural heritage data space.”
A redesigned website and new digital services
The eKnjiga project also introduces significant improvements for the wider public. NUK’s redesigned website offers a clearer user experience, responsive design across devices, and full compliance with digital accessibility standards.
Available on both the website and the Publisher Portal, the AI-powered digital assistant Vid helps users find information, navigate services, receive guidance through administrative procedures, and get answers to frequently asked questions.
At the same time, NUK has launched its online store, allowing users to purchase the library’s publications and selected merchandise online for the first time. The initial offering includes scholarly and popular publications, reproductions from NUK’s collections, and products inspired by Slovenia’s cultural heritage, with the catalogue set to expand over time.
Looking ahead
Although the eKnjiga project has formally concluded, the Publisher Portal is conceived as a continuously evolving digital service. Planned developments include integrations with the Digital Library of Slovenia (dLib.si), the NUK Repository, Europeana, and the future Common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage, as well as additional services and connections with other national information systems.