Domsa Károlyné, Fekete Gézáné, Kovács Mária (szerk.): Gondolatok a könyvtárban / Thoughts in the Library (A MTAK közleményei 30. Budapest, 1992)

KÖNYVTÁR ÉS HAGYOMÁNY – LIBRARY AND TRADITION

The Main Library-Science Information Centre in Prague tion Center for Social Science Research and Documentation with Vienna as its seat should be mentioned. But also other connections, with institutes mainly in West Germany (Bibliothekarische Auslandsstelle), were formed. A principal change occurs at the end of 1989. International co-operation, with all its advantages, was fully developed. On the other side, a large number of organizational changes were to be accepted, originating in the decline of the centralized model of managing libraries and scientific and technical information systems in Czechoslovakia. Access to sufficient financial sources became, however, the greatest problem. These realities hindered access to foreign automatized data bases and to publications needed. An unreasonable approach to market economy gave rise to the intention according to which libraries should earn their income fully, or at least partially, to finance their own activities. Despite these difficulties, the ML-SIC managed to obtain a very good computer equipment (24 PC) and developed technically its reprographic services. Also several automatized data bases were bought in the form of CD-ROM, and much needed technologies were acquired for the employment of these media. An information assurance model of small and medium science information centers has been searched very intensively, with good results achieved. Work with the Index of the Bohemiae published in foreign languages, mainly with regard to ancient prints, was continued with computer application. Part of the bibliography of the works of J. A. Komensky was a much appreciated result of this. These are the tasks, which show future activities of the ML-SIC. Co-operation of the ML-SIC with foreign institutions has already been profitable in the previous period. Speaking of co-operation with Hungary, its first mention can be found in 1856, when exchanges between the library of the Society and the Budapest University began. Exchange with the Hungarian Academy of Sciences was started by the Society Library in 1867. The Academy Library also had connections with the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The first notes on exchange originate from 1907, but this was not further developed, due to the situation described above. The situation in these libraries lasted for the whole period of existence of the Monarchy. In the post-war period exchange was expanded. It deserves to be mentioned, that for the Society Library the year 1935 was of great importance while for the Academy Library these years were 1921 and 1929. Co-operation has been significantly enlarged since the foundation of the ML. For a rather long period^ reciprocal exchange connections and few business travels were realized only. The growth of connections occurred at the end of the 60s. Exchange still existed, but in addition to it personal contacts were formed and in this the help of the HAS (Hungarian Academy of Science) was, with regard to „ Gondolatok a könyvtárban " 111