L'Abes, bibliographic agency for higher education

Based in Montpellier, the Agence bibliographique de l'enseignement supérieur (Abes) is a public administrative institution (EPA) under the direct supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR).

Abes provides metadata to ESR establishments: since its creation by inter-ministerial decree in 1994, this mission has been embodied in a collective catalog, Sudoc, as well as in tools for producing and distributing metadata to establishments: Calames for archives and manuscripts, STAR, STEP and theses.fr for the national listing of theses..... Data from the documentary sector is now used for an ever wider range of purposes, including research, institutional management and educational resources.

The Agency's activities are carried out within the framework of a business plan drawn up in close collaboration with its supervisory body, representatives of the establishments and its main partners.

Abes 's 2024-2028 establishment project accompanies these transformations. It can be viewed at https://projet2024.abes.fr and downloaded in pdf format.

 

The governance of the Abes

The position of director ofAbes is awarded by the MESR for a renewable three-year term. From October 9, 2022,Abes will be headed by Nicolas Morin .Consult the appointment order dated August 25, 2022.

Abes is governed by a Board of Directors, supported by a Scientific Advisory Board.

ADBU and its Reporting and Information Systems (SSI) Commission are the main channel for dialogue with member institutions of the document networks managed byAbes.

 

Human Resources

In 2023,Abes will employ 87 staff (permanent and contract) in the following fields: Libraries (State); Publishing - Documentation (ITRF-BAP F); IT (ITRF-BAP E) and Administration.

 

Computer resources

The Information System ofAbes is based on two pillars:

The 2018-2022 IT Master Plan details the principles, methods and actions implemented to guarantee the maintenance of existing systems and support the implementation of theAbes establishment project.

Find out more about the2018-2022 IT Master Plan