„We wish to digitise, but…” Arguments and counter-arguments, threats and opportunities

Abstract

From among Hungarian public collections libraries take a leading role in digitisation. In recent years museums also joined up, and archives made a major step forward as well. It is heartening that these three public collections expressed their readiness for co-ordinating relevant work, and for applying uniform principles. These three collections possess special features which cannot be neglected. It is, however, clear that there is a need for harmonisation in several issues, if we wish to appear on and to provide services via a common interface, or wish to preserve our digital cultural heritage in permeable archives. The article presents in short the achievements of library digitisation in Hungary, and lists the threats regularly associated with digitisation: the number of library visitors decreases; the fate of materials published on the internet cannot be followed up, it is not clear how many copies are prepared, to whom the material is transferred; the relationship with readers is loosening if they do not come to the library but choose remote access; building joint catalogues leads to dismissing part of cataloguing staff. Despite difficulties and concerns digitisation is inevitable and useful at the same time, as it means a new method of knowledge transfer, and opens up the way for creating joint knowledge stores and increasing information wealth. As a result, common thinking, transfer of experience and regular consultation may save collection experts a lot of expense, and may enable a more economic and efficient operation. The materials figuring in joint services are more attractive for users, and may direct attention to lesser known values. We may utilise our resources if we take the opportunity and get acquainted with others’ practice, and learn from each other. If we unite our forces in joint projects, we can share and better utilise scarce resources, and concentrate the knowledge of specialists, employed by different organisations, into one place.