AZ ORSZÁGOS SZÉCHÉNYI KÖNYVTÁR ÉVKÖNYVE 1986-1990. Budapest (1994)

I. Az OSZK 1986-1990-ben - Az Országos Széchényi Könyvtár működése 1986-1990-ben - The Activity of the National Széchényi Library in the Years 1986-1990

The restoration work also extended to the codices, manuscripts, old books and a wide variety of valuable and unique documents. Their rescue represented an inestimable gain for our collections. It can be said with confidence that this activity was carried out in a way that is recognized to be at world standard since our restorers not only applied the methods they have learned but also carried out research and experimented with new procedures, applying them with full success in their practical work. It is not by chance that the Budapest University Library entrusted the restoration of their almost entirely decayed codices to our library's experts — including the development of suitable methods — and they solved this extraordinary task. Central services It has been not in connection with the delivery of deposit copies that this did not run smoothly, despite the fact that a new regulation on this obligation appeared in 1986. This contained an important new feature: it extended the scope of documents concerned to include audio documents. In 1989 the deposit copy obligation was also extended to video films. Unfortunately, the negligence on the part of publishers adversely affected not only the national library but also the approx. 70 Hungarian libraries which expand their holdings from this source too. Although there was no decline in the number of documents received — around 1.2—1.4 million a year — this was due to the considerable increase in the proportion of periodicals within the total volume. * The role of the international exchange service became increasingly important in expanding the stock both of the national library and of the other libraries which were able to benefit from it. Works which did not fall within our field were passed on to the libraries concerned. It is esspecially important for our own institution that this form of cooperation greatly assisted the acquisition of Hungarica material for our collection. The exchange service sent, 30,000—40,000 Hungarian books and 4,000—4,500 periodicals abroad each year and received, from around 5,600 partners, 8,000—9,000 books and 2,000—2,500 periodicals. For over a decade now the exchange service has undertaken the important mission of providing assistance in the form of books for foreign institutions with a Hungarian interest as well as, in justified cases, for private individuals. It used every possible means to carry out this task. The Duplicate Copies Centre and the Storage Library also played an important part in ensuring that holdings which had become superfluous in the various institutions went to the right place. The Centre collected approx. 25,000—30,000 volumes a year and, drawing on its own reserves as well, it redistributed 35,000—45,000 volumes a year. A survey was conducted in the Storage Library — located in Törökbálint — on the utilisation of the material in interlibrary lending. The results of this were positive and if certain conditions are provided this task can be undertaken. For years the question of utilisation of duplicate copies and storage in the storage library has been given much attention by the library management and public opinion. A number of agreements have been reached on rationalization, especially as regards the foreign newspapers which occupy a great deal of space. * 83