AR2000
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In 2000, three from five long term research programmes of the National Library were approved by the Government Council for Research and Technology Development. The funding of all the programmes was considerably reduced. Digital Library – Production, Preservation, and Access to Digital Documents 1999–2003 New tests of emerging compression schemes and data formats for various types of the digital image were performed especially to define their application possibilities in libraries. They concerned namely the wavelet compression of the colour image and application of the so-called mixed raster content technology for graphic data delivery. To be implemented into the Digital Library the following approaches were recommended: MrSID for access to large data files and DjVu for optional dynamic conversion from archival data files. The studies with rich samples are accessible from the server of the digitization programme. Some parts of installed technologies and software were upgraded. Tests of access to the Digital Library started. Analytical Bibliographic Records as a Gateway to Full Texts of Documents1999–2003 Main sources of acquiring fulltexts in order to link them to bibliographic records were identified. Their processing is performed in Aleph 500 and with in the framework of the automated indexation of bibliographic records from fulltexts. During this work, URL, SICI, and Dublin Core metadata are created. Access to fulltexts is possible through OPAC, TOPIC system, Dublin Core metadata built in the fulltexts, protocoles such as Z 39.50 and SFX, and through WWW search engines. The texts are located freely on Internet, WWW server of the National Library, or WWW server of their distributor. There were ca 1214 bibliographic records linked to relatively stable Internet electronic presentations mostly in the domain of librarianship. The total of ca 1800 texts from newspapers and selected journals were referenced and stored on a server in the National Library. Simultaneously, 9350 fulltexts were purchased to be referenced, too. The CD-ROM with the analytical records – part of the national bibliography – was enriched with a function enabling hypertext referencing. Development of the CASLIN Union Catalogue 1999–2003 Since it proved necessary to improve a basic quality of the Union Catalogue administration and to develop further the services provided to both users and librarians, the decision was made to develop our own applications using the ORACLE database system for administration and operation of the Union Catalogue. In 2000, the work concentrated on loading sets of records from various libraries for all types of documents into the Union Catalogue and on optimization of their sharing. The development of applications for facilitating inter-library loan services started. |
Long-term Research and Technology Development Programmes Research and Technology Development Projects The Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic Programmes
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Access to the Records of the 20th Century Czech Book Production Via Internet and CD-ROM 1997–2000 CASLIN Union Catalogue of the Czech Republic – The Project of Building the Union Catalogue and Shared Cataloguing 1998–2000 Responsible person: Gabriela Krčmařová The project concentrated on creation of a centralized database of records mapping the holdings of participating libraries. The development of special system for the Union Catalogue started with improvement of internal administration of the catalogue. Nowadays, it provides information on availability of documents in the Czech Republic, it serves the reference and interlibrary services, and it provides online records for retrospective conversion of local library catalogues. The Union Catalogue also offers co-operative cataloguing (copy cataloguing) the online shared cataloguing included. Efficient Access to Information about Availability of Foreign Periodicals on the Czech Territory 1998–2000 The project solved two problems: improvement of information about availability of foreign journals in the Czech Republic and retrospective conversion of the Foreign Periodicals Union Catalogue. This catalogue was opened under our in-house ORACLE-based system and it enabled the participants – more than 600 libraries – to update records on the subscribed titles online. The oldest part of the Foreign Periodicals Union Catalogue contains the titles ranging from the oldest ones – there is a unique title from 1527 – until 1964. By December 31, 2000, the Foreign Periodicals Union Catalogue contained 49,000 titles. Union Database of the Co-operative System of Bibliography of Articles – Optimization of Integration and Management of Heterogeneous Data 2000–2004 A modular program application was developed to enable acquisition, processing, and indexing of full texts as well as access to them based on simultaneous automated creation of UNIMARC and Dublic Core records from full- texts. The automated indexing produces data sets for the database of bibliographic records and that of full texts incl. automated generation of URL and SICI. For search in full texts the TOPIC system is used; for the moment being, rough definitions of selected topics were stored in it. Fulltexts of articles were acquired within the framework of the Anopress consortium. They were prepared for dynamic linking and referenced from bibliographic records – from July to December ca 7,528 references made. The fulltext database was also completed with texts of articles from daily newspapers and journals – in 1998 and 2000 ca 17,930 fulltexts altogether. A software tool for administration and maintenance of the Co-operative System of Bibliography of Articles is also developed. Solid hardware and software platforms were procured for this system as well. Optimization of the Hybrid Technology of Reformatting Endangered Library Holdings 2000–2001 The project continues the older projects such as Kramerius – Preservation Microfilming of Endangered Czech Newspapers and Digitization of Preser-vation Microfilm. It solves technological procedures oriented on increasing the quality of microfilms and on the process of digitization aimed at optimization of the processing of image files and at solving their conversion into fulltext. The project completes the reformatting technology with OCR and it concentrates on development of fulltext search on data obtained from digital copies of old materials. Preparation of Thematic Catalogues of Historical Music Collections Preserved on the Territory of Bohemia and Moravia 2000–2004 The aim of the project is to provide access to information about music manuscripts through printed thematic catalogues. The information has been concentrated in the Union Music Catalogue built in the Music Department. Revised records will be converted into electronic form and available on CD-ROM and Internet. In each participating institution, a team of experts was trained, while the rules for their co-ordination were set up. The processing of selected collections started – first catalogues to be printed – and the participating centres were equipped with necessary technology. The Music Department of the National Library co-ordinated the work and was in charge of the co-operation with the RISM international inventory of musical sources. Optimization of Archival Storage of and Access to Digital Data 2000–2001 The project was focused on archival storage of optical discs such as CD-R, CD-ROM, and audio CD. The quality of the archive of our own CD-R production since 1996 was measured and then assessed. The procedure of monitoring of CD archives was proposed and the experiment of the disc storage in protective atmosphere was started. The Czech CD-ROM production was measured and the measurement of the audio CD collection started – the National Library must ensure archival storage of audio CD. The calibration of digitization devices was optimized and the Gretag Macbeth system was implemented; new calibration bars were printed. The compatibility with similar European projects was analyzed – especially with MASTER and DIEPER – and it was decided to accept the bibliographic record DTD from MASTER; for this, necessary conversion tools were prepared. The work on XML output from our DOBM SGML format began as well as that on necessary software tools. The work on optimization of software metadata input and structuring of digital documents started as well as the work on improved access tools. The implementation of the dynamic conversion into DjVu for the Digital Library was tested and a study about legal problems with Internet access to documents was prepared. Information Needs of Inhabitants Living in Smaller Towns and Villages and Possibilities of Their Satisfaction Through the Public Libraries Network2000 A sociological survey of information needs of inhabitants living in smaller towns and villages was carried out. Possibilities of public libraries for satisfying these needs were also investigated. The survey was carried out in four districts: Český Krumlov, Náchod, Tachov, and Vsetín. Two thousand respondents participated in the survey; among them, mayors of municipalities and local entrepreneurs formed a special group. Restoration of Illuminated Manuscripts 2000–2001 A preservation survey database on illuminated manuscripts was prepared. All data from former reports were entered; they also included colour slides that were scanned and added. Model samples of parchment started to be prepared to simulate damage of illuminated manuscripts. Medieval techniques of manufacturing parchment and preparing colours for painting were studied. About 20 pieces of goat and sheep parchment were produced according to them. Study journeys were an important part of the project. Thei were focused on the manufacture of parchment and on techniques of conservation of illuminated manuscripts used abroad. Registration, Preservation, and Access to Czech Electronic Internet Resources 2000–2001 A considerable number of foreign and international projects as analyzed dealing with acquisition, registration, preservation, and access to electronic online documents. The complex character of this theme also includes co-operation of libraries with publishers, legal aspects of this sphere, and implementation of information technologies. Access to the Holdings of Big Czech Libraries – National Library of the Czech Republic 2000–2004 The main goals of the project for the year 2000 were: reliable backup of the scanned catalogues, improvement of the special software for access to scanned catalogues, ordering of documents from the National Library collections based on the scanned catalogues via Internet and ILL. New complex backup tech-nology enabled reliable backup of existing large quantity of data files. Remarkable improvement of the special access software is based on the completely new version of the WWW program called Katif 2.0. This version contains new business logic of the system and a new client interface for searching and access to the images of the scanned catalogue cards. The new version supports WIN95, 98, NT, 2000 systems as well as the Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator browsers. Our original goal to enable ordering via ILL was expanded with parallel ordering for individual users. OCLC First Search Service 2000–2003 The project is aimed at gaining free access to OCLC FirstSearch with fulltext (OCLC Base Package with Full Text) for the National Library of the Czech Republic, the Moravian Library in Brno, and the state research libraries in such a way that users from the area of research and development had equal access to this service in all regions of the Czech Republic with direct connection to ILL services. The goal of this project is not only to secure access to this important information resource, but also to regularly evaluate its effectiveness, use, and factors contributing to the research and development work in the Czech Republic. The providing libraries aim to establish a consortium that would secure access to this service after the project has ended. Access to Fulltext Databases of Professional Foreign Periodicals on the Basis of The Open Society Institute EIFL Direct programme 2000–2003 The aim of the project is to enable the access to fulltext databases of professional foreign periodicals in accordance with license conditions given by the Open Society Institute in the Electronic Information for Libraries programme (EIFL Direct). The license covers all the Czech libraries, while the National Library of the Czech Republic is the co-ordinator. To December 31, 2000, there were 199 libraries and other institutions registered in an informal consortium. Presentation materials were prepared to promote the project and inform about it as well as web pages available from the National Library server. Communication and faster transfer of information among participating libraries are supported by implementation of electronic EIFL conference. There were also training sessions for registered libraries. Reference Centre of the National Library of the Czech Republic – A Gateway to the World of Information 2000–2003 The aim of this project is to secure further development of the Reference Centre and realize its main mission – to facilitate services from local and remote resources to local and remote users alike. Under this project we plan completion of the infrastructure of the Reference Centre and enrichment of the basic information resources. Inseparable part of the project is also rationalization and upgrading of ILL services through resource sharing via WWW and implementation of the document delivery in traditional and electronic formats. The goal of this project is the Reference Centre as a gateway that provides – locally and on Internet – integrated access to the primary, secondary, and applied information for people predominantly from research and development areas. |
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All the projects must be realized in one calendar year. In the course of the year 2000, the VISK programme was approved and it replaced and enlarged the former RISK and Knihovna 21. století programmes. VISK consists of nine sub-programmes; in 2000, only some of them had allocated limited funds. Retrospective Conversion of the General Catalogue of the National Library Universal Collection – III Responsible person: Bohdana Stoklasová The goal of the project in the year 2000 (phase III) was to produce at least 60 thousand records in UNIMARC. The efficiency of the new information system for the retrospective conversion made the price per record cheaper; therefore, this fact enabled conversion of 55 thousand records for the grant money in spite of the fact that the received amount of funds was smaller than that requested. As the National Library paid from its own budget the conversion of the remaining five thousand records, the planned total of 60 thousand converted records was achieved. The records, which represented frequently used parts of the collection, were given the highest priority, while the records representing rarely used parts were excluded from the retrospective conversion. The records are available via Internet and they will be imported into the CASLIN Union Catalogue. The retrospective conversion of the General Catalogue of the Universal Library Collection in a reasonable time-span is extremely important for opening of the library holdings as well as for smooth and effective running of the automated circulation system. Memoriae Mundi Series Bohemica. Continuation of the Project in 2000 – Digital Access to Rare Documents in the National Library of the Czech Republic Responsible person: Adolf Knoll Routine digitization was performed in this traditional Czech programme that is a component part of the UNESCO Memory of the World programme. Thus, the digital access to 31,904 pages of mostly manuscripts was enabled. The digital copies will be available through the Digital Library; it is also possible to order them on CD-R. Internet Connectivity of the Digital Library to the National Research Network TEN-155 in 2000 Responsible person: Adolf Knoll The subsidy was used for partial covering of expenses of the National Library of the Czech Republic related to the physical connection of the Central Depository in Hostivař through PRAGONET and to CESNET services enabling Internet access through the National Research Network; the achieved speed was 155 Mbit/s. Training of Professional Public Librarians in the Districts in Which the District Regional Functions Are Not Performed: Cycle of Seminars Responsible person: Zlata Houšková A course of seminars for mayors and librarians of small villages aimed at explanation of the role of public libraries in the information society. They also got information about possibilities of receiving state subsidies for using ICT in libraries and connecting to Internet. Co-ordination Centre of the Public Information Services of Libraries Programme Responsible person: Vít Richter In October 2000, the Co-ordination Centre of the newly launched programme called Public Information Services of Libraries (VISK). This programme supports use of ICT in public libraries and it is one of the most important projects for a realization of the governmental programme document called State Information Policy – A Way to Information Society. Education Centre for Librarians Responsible person: Miroslav Ressler The Education Centre for Librarians was built. This centre will provide librarians with further education above all aimed at knowledge and skills for work with ICT. The establishment of the Centre was subsidized with a grant of the State Information Politicy´ (‘Public information services of libraries‘). CASLIN Union Catalogue of the Czech Republic – Development and Operation Responsible person: Gabriela Krčmařová The main goals of this project were to test and to improve of the Union Catalogue in-house software, which enables the administrator to modify the existing applications and to develop flexibly new applications as required. |
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Catalogue of Persian Manuscripts of the National Library of the Czech Republic 1999–2000 Funded by: Československá obchodní banka Responsible person: Adolf Knoll Thanks to the sponsor, all the 150 volumes of the Persian manuscripts from the holdings of the National Library of the Czech Republic were catalogued. The catalogue was published on CD-ROM. It is the first list of the manuscripts as above ever published. The CD-ROM was inserted into a colour brochure describing the development of the Persian literature and demonstrating its presence in the National Library manuscripts. The catalogue was met with great interest abroad also thanks to the fact that UNESCO considered it as a component part of its Memory of the World programme and presented it on its web pages. One of the illuminations from a manuscript of Nízámí’s texts was used for one of the UNESCO New Year greeting cards. MASTER 1999–2001 Responsible person: Zdeněk Uhlíř MASTER (Manuscript Access through Standards for Electronic Records), project of the European Commission – other partners are from Great Britain, France, Netherlands, and Denmark – concentrates on creating a standard for cataloguing manuscripts and building a union catalogue of manuscripts. In 2000, the two goals were achieved and the main task of the project thus realized. The final part of the project will concern demonstration of the results to the professional public as well as basic training of European librarians working with manuscripts aimed at implementing the created standard. Reference Centre of the National Library of the Czech Republic 1999-2000 The project of building the Reference Centre of the National Library of the Czech Republic was approved in 1997 and have been realized, since 1998, under difficult financial conditions. The Centre was opened on trial in June 1999. In October of the same year our projects of further equipment of the Centre with computer technology was accepted by OSI – Network Library Programme Matching Funds. The project had been realized during the year 2000. The completely equipped Reference Centre was opened to the public on July 31, 2000. This projects is followed by the project on Reference Centre of the National Library of the Czech Republic – Gateway to the World of Information, which has been subsidized from 2000 to 2003 by the Ministry of Education within its programme Information Resources for Research and Development (see above). Correspondence of Lesja Ukrajinka and the Kosač’s Family (Bibliographic processing) 1999–2000 Responsible person: Mária Ňachajová A research grant received from the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (realization from June 1999 to July 2000). It supported the processing of the correspondence of the eminent Ukrainian poetess and her closest relatives from the end of the 19th to the beginning of the 20th century. The correspondence – ca 850 letters – was classified, processed, and stored in protective envelopes. Collection of Ukrainian Artists – Students and Teachers of the Ukrainian Centre of Fine Arts 1999–2000 Responsible person: Mária Ňachajová A grant received from the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (realization June 1999 to July 2000). It comprises works of students of the Ukrainian Centre of Fine Arts in Prague and those of their teachers as well. The institution was established by Ukrainian emigrants with the Czechoslovak support. Research work concentrated on classification, expert identification, processing, and conservation storage of works of art. The final activity was an exhibition held in the National Library. Retrospective Conversion of the General Catalogue of the Slavonic Library 2000 The goal was to convert the Slavonic Library General Catalogue from its graphic form – the catalogue was scanned in 1997 – into the structured UNIMARC format to provide better access to the Slavonic Library holdings. Thanks to the grant, 54,500 records – 62 catalogue drawers, i.e. A–Engelm letters – were processed by the RETROKON method that is ca 1/7 of the entire catalogue. The records are available via Internet, for the time being, in a separate base. Handbuch deutscher historischer Buchbestände in Europa (Manual of German Historical Book Collections in Europe) 1990–2000 The objective of the international project was to complete and publish a survey of German (by language and provenance) historical book collections that are kept in European non-German-speaking countries and date back to the period between the beginning of book-printing and the end of the 19th century. Fifteen European countries participated in the project. Heuristic and research work resulted in the edition of the same name as above bound in ten volumes (comprising 12 parts). The work was published by the Olms-Weidmann Publishers in Germany. The project had been carried on in the Czech Republic between 1992 and 2000 in cooperation with certain institutions in Bohemia and Moravia. Main places of work were in the National Library of the CR (which served as a coordinator of the whole project in the Czech Republic having thus guaranteed the description of libraries in Prague and in Bohemia as well), in the National Museum (which was responsible for the description of castle and palace libraries), and in the Moravian Library (which described libraries in Moravia). About 300 important libraries, archives and other institutions were included into the survey together with the data about history of each collection, its thematic structure, and its quantitative and linguistic representation during centuries. In the encyclopaedic book series, three separate volumes (in four parts) deal with the Czech Republic. Prague – European City of Culture for the year 2000: two programmes 1999–2000 1. Opening of the Astronomical Tower and the Baroque Library Hall to the Public The grant was intended to be used for the first phase of opening the Baroque Library Hall and the Astronomical Tower in Klementinum to the public. From the point of view of preserving the cultural heritage, it is a very important step leading to preservation of remarkable monuments, which testify to the development of education and to the beginnings of development of natural sciences in our country in the Modern Age. The Meridian Room serving as the so-called camera obscura was restored including mural quadrants placed there. The so-called rear lift was reconstructed into the two-door one so that also the immobile visitors (wheelchair users) can use it. Astronomical, geophysical, and meteorological instruments were purchased for an exhibition installed in the Astronomical Tower. The exhibition is dedicated to scientific observations done in Klementinum during the last 250 years. Also a tower-clock machine (constructed between 1770 and 1780) was purchased and after its reconstruction, it is fully functional. It is presented to visitors as one of the exhibits on their sight-seeing tour, together with replicas of sextants made according to originals kept in the National Technical Museum and exhibition copies (i.e. partial hand-made copies) of manuscripts representing the National Library´s highly appreciated literary treasures. The rooms with exhibits were newly equipped with furniture and the original furniture in the Baroque Library Hall was restored. The entrance to the Astronomical Tower and its vicinity in the first yard of Klementinum were adapted including partial lighting of the yard. Visitors´ motion round the whole sightseeing route is under close guard of the fail-safe and antitheft devices installed. Besides those, there are also devices measuring temperature and relative humidity. Thanks to the measurements and their consequent evaluation, the possible negative impact of tourists´ visits on the climate conditions in the Baroque Hall is minimized. All works were done with the permission of the State Institute for the Preservation of Historical Monuments and were continuously supervised by its representatives. Special thanks must be given to the specialists from the Astronomical Institute of Charles University, from the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and from the National Technical Museum, who helped with preparing the exhibition and assisted at its installation. The Astronomical Tower and the Baroque Library Hall were rented to a tourist agency selected on the competitive basis. They were opened to the public on May 15, 2000, when the agency began to offer guided tours of the Astronomical Tower and the Baroque Library Hall. The historical rooms had been, in the course of seven moths of 2000, visited by 15 000 paying visitors and by other ca 700 guests of the National Library of the CR. The sight-seeing route for visitors was built in order not to interfere with the internal organization of library processes. Thus, a part of the National Library´s aim has been fulfilled – the precious historical rooms of Klementinum have been opened to the public in order to increase cultural awareness of the public as well as the turistic attraction of the City of Prague. 2. Organization of the Exhibition ‘Under the
Torch of the Modern Era’ The exhibition had been prepared since 1998 and meant a great volume of restoration work on those originals of historical prints intended for one-month exhibition in the Mirror Chapel. At the same time, our specialists prepared a scenario of the exhibition that also included a completely new interpretation of literary works published in the period of the first book-printers, i.e. from the 15th till the mid-17th centuries. The professional work on the exhibition resulted in publishing a catalogue under the same name (Under the Torch of the Modern Era) comprising a rich picture accompaniment. The publication was translated into English. Also CD-ROM of the same name was published in both languages with a rather different textual conception. In addition, it was provided with portraits of outstanding authors and personalities of the period described. It was possible to purchase air-conditioned exhibition boxes for the Natio-nal Library, which will considerably improve the possible level of further exhibition activities of the library. The exhibition, opened during all the November, was visited by 1625 fee-paying visitors and 250 guests of the Library. Besides that, about 1200 students of secondary schools visited it on the Sponsor´s Day, when schools had the entrance free of charge. |