SOME PERSPECTIVES ON USE AND PRESERVATION OF HERITAGE IN DIGITAL AGE:

AN EXAMPLE OF CENTRAL DIOCESAN AND FACULTY LIBRARY IN DJAKOVO, CROATIA

Damir Hasenay, Maja Krtalić & Tihonija Zovko

Content

definitions and relations between heritage and preservation

managing heritage collections in the digital age case study - Central Diocesan and Faculty Library in

Djakovo, Croatia perspectives

HERITAGEHERITAGE

COLLECTION

USERS

MISSION OF THE INSTITUTIONLIBRARY MANAGEMENT

PRESERVATION MANAGEMENT

PRESERVATIONPRESERVATION

Definitions and relations - heritage and preservation

concept of preserving material (artefacts) concept of preserving content

approach reformatting

methods:microfilmingdigitization

techniques

procedures

approachpreventive preservation

approachremedial measures

methods:restoration

conservation

techniques

procedures

methods:optimal storage conditions

and handling

techniques

procedures

PRESERVATIONPRESERVATION

Definitions and relations - heritage and preservation

concept of preserving content

approach reformatting

methods:microfilmingdigitization

techniques

procedures

PRESERVATIONPRESERVATION

Definitions and relations - heritage and preservation

new concept:digital preservation

methods

techniques

procedures

concept:preserving artefacts

Managing heritage collections in the digital age

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGYvs.

LIBRARY AND PRESERVATION MANAGEMENT

Significant impact on the way in which heritage is:

collected presented used preserved...

Case study - Central Diocesan and Faculty Library in Djakovo, Croatia

Founded in 1996. by merging several larger libraries – diocesan library, Catholic Faculty of Theology library and theological seminary library.

Mission academic and research library combines two functions - supporting academic process and collecting and

preserving written heritage Collections 130.000 items (books and periodicals) manuscripts and rare book collection from 15th century, including nine incunabula 16th to 18th, 19th and 20th century collection private collections inherited from several bishops collection of periodicals materials for education programsUsers 300 users theology students and professors, priests, nuns and friars, also open to all

students from the Osijek University and to the citizens of Djakovo

Methods and purpose of the study

Purpose to identify how the library with a valuable heritage collections and obligation

to support education and research process, manages its services and collections in the light of digital age

to analyse heritage management in the digital realm in comparison to user needs and library services from a preservation point of view

Methods questionnaire - to gather information about user satisfaction of library

services and to detect their potential needs, especially in regard to services related to digital technology

interview - to gather basic information about library management and the role of preservation management in it; to gain information about library response to changes in digital age and how the library is meeting user needs

Findings

0

5

10

15

20

25

rare

ly

once

a m

onth

2-3

times

a m

onth

once

a w

eek

ever

y da

y

num

ber

of a

nsw

ers

2-3

time

a w

eek

Frequency of user visits to the library

0

10

20

30

40

50

other

photocopying, microfilm

ingand digitisation

searching data bases andother electronic sources

borrowing library m

aterial

using library material

in reading rooms

online catalogue

num

ber

of a

nsw

ers

Mostly used library services

help and advice

0

10

20

30

40

50

oth

er*

spe

nd

ing

fre

e ti

me

rea

din

g n

ew

spa

pe

rs, s

ea

rch

ing

info

rma

tion

on

th

e I

nte

rne

tusi

ng

bo

oks

an

d o

the

r lit

era

ture

for

wri

ttin

g s

em

ina

rs

usi

ng

bo

oks

an

d o

the

r lit

era

ture

to p

rep

are

fo

r le

ctu

res

nu

mb

er

of a

nsw

ers

rese

arc

h

The purpose of the visit

Findings

0%5.8%

69.57%

17.39%

5.8%1.45%

completely unsatsfied

very unsatisfied

neither satisfied nor unsatisfied

very satisfied

completely satisfied

unanswered

Help and advice

Using library material in reading rooms

0%0%

8.7%

68.12%

17.39%

5.8%

completely unsatsfied

very unsatisfied

neither satisfied nor unsatisfied

very satisfied

completely satisfied

unanswered

Findings

5.88%

27.94%

33.82%

22.06%

8.82%1.47%

completely unsatsfied

very unsatisfied

neither satisfied nor unsatisfied

very satisfied

completely satisfied

unanswered

Catalogue

Borrowing library material

0%0%1.49%

70.15%

19.4%8.96%

completely unsatsfied

very unsatisfied

neither satisfied nor unsatisfied

very satisfied

completely satisfied

unanswered

Searching databases and other electronic sources

27.94%

7.35%

5.88%

27.94%

14.71%

16.18%

completely unsatsfied

very unsatisfied

neither satisfied nor unsatisfied

very satisfied

completely satisfied

unanswered

Photocopying, microfilming and digitisation

16.42%

1.49%1.49%

53.73%

16.42% 10.45%

completely unsatsfied

very unsatisfied

neither satisfied nor unsatisfied

very satisfied

completely satisfied

unanswered

Interview - findings the library management is very "traditionally" oriented no online catalogue, or any form of online services recognition of users' needs and putting high level priority on these issues dominancy of academic function 60 % of budget is intended for academic function of the library - financial

resources intended for collecting and safeguarding heritage material are insufficient

Possibilities... establishing cooperation with similar institutions and finding additional financial

resources through national or international projects a better and more visible presentation of heritage collections in the library and

promotion of its value take into account already conducted examples of good practice preservation

preservation activities must be focused on strategic level, meet the purpose and mission of the institution and take into account user expectations

storage conditions are acceptable, but improvements are welcome collection condition survey is recommended activity since there are no data

about specific problems and general condition of the collection

Central Diocesan and Faculty Library in Djakovo •From the user perspective

• both academic and heritage function of the library would be significantly improved by creating and making accessible online catalogue and offering additional online services. In this way, not only user needs would be satisfied, but also valuable heritage material would be presented in more visible way and the library would open its potentials to wider research community

•From the preservation perspective• collection condition survey would provide basic information necessary for finding

the most efficient preservation measures. Preservation should be an integral part of overall library management that should always answer to changes in the context of social and technological development

Perspectives...

Perspectives...

to understand relations between "traditional" library management, user needs and specificity of certain library in terms of its mission, collection and user profiles in the context of digital age