Digitization Practice in Latvia: Achievements and Trends of Development

Abstract

The 1980s are characterized by rapid development of digitization process and research of digital libraries. In 1994 Latvia was also involved in this process with the first attempt to digitize the materials of high demand and in poor physical condition at the Latvian Academic Library. In 1998 the digitization process was launched at the National Library of Latvia. The study, the first results of which are presented in this publication, is made to analyze the history of digitization in Latvia, and to evaluate the achievements of these activities. Up to now the development of digitization process has been poorly documented, therefore the empirical sources are unpublished documents (project reports, working papers, etc.), as well as interviews with the staff of the first projects.