Gáncsné Nagy Erzsébet: Magyar Könyvtárosok Egyesülete Helyismereti Könyvtárosok Szervezetének története, 1994-2002 (2004)

Elizabeth Melrose: Preface.

Preface This dissertation is the result of original research. It charts the development of local studies librarianship in Hungary, from the groundwork of past librarians in building up local history collections in the Town and County Libraries to the recent activities of the national Local Studies Group of the Association of Hungarian Librarians. Many sections of the profession will relate to the narrative. For members of the present Hungarian Local Studies Group, the study will be a reminder of how the association came into existence and of how it has progressed over the last ten years. Librarians in neighbouring countries, responsible for the local studies of the Hungarian diaspora and always included in the HKSZ conferences, will be influenced by the work achieved by their colleagues as reported here. Others in the international community can learn to their benefit how the Group encouraged professional links with local studies librarians in other European countries while disseminating the best practice within their own. This review will contribute to the literature of local studies librarianship. I am glad to be associated with it, dedicating such work as I have accomplished on the translation to the author and to the members of the Hungarian Local Studies Group who, despite the perplexities of the English language, linked so boldly with the UK LA Local Studies Group a decade ago. Elizabeth Melrose September 2003 8