Session 3
In the digital world documents of all people, of all times, all countries and with regard to all themes can be amalgamated, connected and shown in new surroundings. In this section we are expecting some thrilling new ideas about the outcome of networks showing famous persons in their world or the ideas of an era in their development etc.
The virtual world can be very helpful in terms of being able to establish new connections which are limited by no borders, language problems or the difficulties of transportation of precious materials. On the other hand the virtual networks allow for new deeper views on material which only in combination with others starts to show its intrinsic values. Databases and collections of digital images from Europe can certainly offer more than an unorganised “view all”. Small and big collections are asked to contribute to new sorts of joint presentations.
- How can LIBER be a promoter of project ideas in this field?
- Where are the materials in Europe which need to be detected and promoted?
- Who are the people which bring the networks to life?
- Which audience is targeted?
- Who will be responsible for them in ten, twenty, thirty years?
These and any other question shall be targeted by two papers which should be able to engage the imagination of the audience and promote also a deeper understanding of the advantages and probably difficulties of these projects. There will be one paper given by a librarian focusing on the long term interest, not only for the physical manuscripts themselves, but also for their digital representations on the internet; and a paper given by a scholar, which might stress on the advantages of having overall access to source material. So the session is also dedicated to the 'meta' issue of cooperation between scholars and libraries, its advantages but also its difficulties.
