A Historical and Archival Guide to Székesfehérvár (Székesfehérvár, 2003)
THE HISTORY OF SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR TOWN ARCHIVES
A modern network of telephones and computer system were installed. The installation of the new computer system is the first phase of a constant development. A structured star topology network was built up with the use of the former workstations and the installation of new ones. The system of Linux based server is supplemented with a networked printer, which is accessible from any workstation. Up-todate software, high speed DSL lines to connect the Internet help academic research and processing. The paper-restorer workshop was established after the renovation of the archives' rooms. It was necessary to equip the workshop with suitable lighting and running water. The light needed for the work (about 800-1000 lux) is ensured by UV filtered lights and intense spotlights, considering the requirements of works of art protection. Mould, germ or insect contaminated documents of the archives can be sterilised; the contaminated pages are cleaned and chemicallv treated; and the weak and crumbled material of the paper are strengthened in the workshop. The workshop is well equipped to repair the damaged pages and to complete the missing parts. The room is suitable for cleaning and mounting large-sized maps and for book-binding and book-restoration. The restorer's workshop is in the building of the archives, working in daily contact with the archivists. There is possibility for the continuous restoration of the found and damaged documents, and for solving urgent tasks. The reformed archives has organised several conferences since it was founded. The first was called "Diploma Leopoldinum" ', when the reacquisition of Székesfehérvárt title as royal free town was commemorated. In the forthcoming years several programmes followed this one. In the last few years particularly, the number of academic conferences increased, fortunately also the interest taken in it did so. We held a conference in 1996 entitled "The basilica as a sacred place, built by King Saint Stephen"; the lectures of the conference were published in a book in the same year. The programmes of 1997 were also connected to anniversaries; the conference on the 775 th anniversary of the issuing of the Golden Bull was held besides the conference called "The state-dreaming Grand Duke Géza". 1998 and 1999 were spent in the
