AZ ORSZÁGOS SZÉCHÉNYI KÖNYVTÁR ÉVKÖNYVE 1994-1998. Budapest (2000)

I. Az OSZK 1994-1998-ban - Az Országos Széchényi Könyvtár kiadványai 1994-1998 - The Activity of the National Széchényi Library in the Years 1994-1998

in the age of globalization also prescribes other standardization obligations for libraries in Hungary. One such area, in addition to the standardization already mentioned, is computerization since we could not link up to the global networks without taking foreign developments into account. The library represents Hungary and the national library in numerous international organizations, including the ISBN and ISSN system (the Hungarian National ISSN Centre operates within the frame of the National Széchényi Library and Hungarys ISBN permanent representative also works here). Staff members of the National Széchényi Library, often serving as president or board member, can also be found among the members of IFLA, FID, EBLIDA, LIBER, CENTL, ELAG, ADLUG, ELIAS, ICSSD and ABDOS. The library has also endorsed the objectives of EROMN and has joined the IADA community. The library has reached an agreement with the Fulbright Commission on the professional care of the collection of the American-Hungarian Foundation. The Theatre History Collection regularly takes part in the work of SIBMAS (Société Internationale des Sources Musicales), OISTAT (Organisation Internationale des Scénographes et des Techniciens et des Architectes du Theatre) and Thalia Germanica, while the Music Collection maintains working relations with the Association Internationale des Bibliothéques Musicales and the Repertoire de la Presse Musicale. Among the restorers, a department head is a member of the IFLA Section on Preservation and Conservation, serving as president from 1993 to 1997. A number of colleagues participate in the work of the ECPA (European Commission on Preservation and Access). Travel by colleagues, getting to know each others work and gaining experience also helps to maintain international relations. A number of research trips were also made, mainly in order to control Hungarica items found abroad. The library also took part in numerous joint projects. For years colleagues of the two libraries worked on processing the Hungarica material in the Bibliothéque Nationale de France. With the completion of the work the catalogue can be used in both libraries. Its publication depends on the outcome of further negotiations. The National Széchényi Library regularly meets the obligations it has undertaken in the Library of Congress NPAC program: it continuously supplied the relevant material for the Annual Bibliography of the History of Printed Books and Libraries, but due to lack of personnel it was able to supply the RISM (Repertoire des Sources Musicales) with the processed material of Hungarian collections only up to 1997. The library provided the venue for, organized or participated in a number of national congresses and conferences. The library as a scholarly research centre The library continued its research activity in the usual way. In certain sections, depending on the nature of their activities, this work was also carried out during working hours: staff members with candidate degrees were entitled to a day and a half for research work each week while the majority were given authorization by the director general for one research day a week on approved themes. Most of the themes were in the areas of Hungarian literature, history, Hungarica, press and library history and the history of printing. It would be desirable to see greater interest in research on library history. The librarys staff members were able to present the results of their scholarly work at national and international conferences, as well as at seminars and sessions held in the library and the Széchényi memorial session held each year and in the related Keresztury competition. The librarys publications continued to provide an opportunity for publication, although this caused considerable difficulties and in cases the number of copies had to be reduced. In addition to the Yearbook of the National Széchényi Library, over the five years seven volumes appeared in the series of National Széchényi Library booklets, and three larger works appeared in Publications of the National Széchényi Library, New Series. Unfortunately, the number of copies had to be reduced for some publications, but in the given situation we must be pleased to see that the library is able to publish works containing new results. 194