McDonaldization of archives (an introduction to discussion)

Author(s): Hadrian Ciechanowski / Language(s): English Issue: 124/2023

The article analyzes the development of archives through the lens of the McDonaldization created by Georg Ritzer. Since archives, like libraries, are deeply rooted in society, they can be analyzed from the perspective of ongoing social change. Referring to the various dimensions of McDonaldization – predictability, efficiency, calculability, and control – the author points to selected aspects of archival reality that exhibit the characteristics identified by Ritzer. Ritzer also pointed out that rationalized systems generate irrationalities and mention contrary tendencies that go (often intentionally) against the tide of the changes taking place. These two phenomena can also be found in the archival field. The article concludes that archives have undergone at least a partial McDonaldization. Nevertheless, the degree of change that has taken place in archives varies between the analyzed aspects. The article is based on an analysis of Polish and foreign literature, as well as the author’s observation of archives (mainly Polish). For this reason, the study uses a comparative, bibliographic, and observational method.

The transnational archival memory of European integration

Author(s): Dieter Schlenker / Language(s): English Issue: 124/2023

The European Coal and Steel Community established in 1951, the EuropeanAtomic Energy Community, and the European Economic Community, both established in 1957, built the roots of the European single market and are direct forerunners of today’s European Union. The vision of a united post-War (Western) Europe went far beyond economic considerations, as canbe seen in the preamble of the Rome Treaties with its concept of “evercloser union”. It made the European Union a unique transnational politicaland cultural phenomenon based on common values and supranationaldecision-making processes. Archives hold the memory of the multi-levelledEuropean integration process. European integration produced a newmodel of transnational archives with specific privileges, immunities andworking methods. These archives preserve the legal acts, negotiations,correspondence, and documents produced by intergovernmental or non-governmental European institutions and organisations and make themavailable to the public. The Historical Archives of the European Union play a central role in transmitting the memory, informing the public and fostering research on these diverse types of archives.

Archival contexts

Author(s): Eric Ketelaar / Language(s): English Issue: 124/2023

Discussing archives as a cultural phenomenon entails viewing archives as epistemological sites rather than as sources. In the past two decades,this “archival turn” has been made in many disciplines. Anthropologists,sociologists, psychologists, philosophers, cultural and literary theorists, aswell as artists, have developed various “archivologies”. Historians, however,by and large upheld the primacy of documents as historical sources,maintaining the tenet “No documents, no history” coined 125 yearsago, in 1897, by the French: archivist Langlois and historian Seignobos,and translated into Polish in 1912. However, understanding archives asa cultural, social and political phenomenon also entails shifting attention from the actual archival document to its contextual history, a history encompassing the why, who, what, and how of archiving, all determined by societal challenges and technologies.

Parsing privacy for archivists

Author(s): Trudy Huskamp Peterson / Language(s): English Issue: 124/2023

Protection of privacy is a key issue in determining the extent to which archival materials are to be made accessible to the public. But what isinformational privacy; i.e., what are the elements of information foundin any type of document or database that must be withheld to avoidintruding on the privacy of an individual? This essay first examines post-World War II international statements that reference privacy. Then it turnsto statements referring to privacy issued by the International Council onArchives (ICA), the worldwide professional organization that represents thearchival profession to UNESCO. Third is a brief look at several 21st centuryacademic considerations of privacy, one each by a lawyer, a philosopher,and an historian. Finally, it outlines some of the contextual elements that help archivists manage sensitive materials, even without a final definition of informational privacy.

Слово при откриването на Кръгла маса „Устойчиво развитие на библиотеките“ на доц. д-р К. Александрова

Author(s): Author Non Specified,Krasimira Alexandrova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

145 години ХРАМ НА ДУХА

Author(s): Krasimira Alexandrova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

This article traces the history of the establishment of the „St. St. Cyril and Methodius” National Library. It examines its mission - past and present. It asks questions about its future in the years of new and modern technology-oriented solutions.

Библиографската дейност в Централна библиотека на БАН в нова дигитална среда

Author(s): Silviya Naydenova,Maria Efremova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

The Central Library of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is the main compiler and editor of scientific bibliographies. In 1953 was published the first edition of its 40-volume series Bibiobiliographies of Bulgarian Scientists. Another emblematic reference book is 100 years of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 1869–1969. The fundamental digital database is Members of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 1869–2019, as well as the unique bibliographic digital platforms at the Institute of Bulgarian Literature, the Council for Bulgarian Studies and Cyrillomethodiana.

Устойчивото развитие на библиотеките –когнитивен императив на променящата се цивилизация (Жалоните – модел на информатизацията, поставени от Българския библиографдски институт, които следваме в Университета по библиотекознание и информационни техноло

Author(s): Alexandra Kumanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

The cognitive cluster of the informatization is revealed as an outset of the road of the sustainable development of the libraries, set by Prof. Todor Borov as an ontological gestalt of this development. It is described the comparative vitality of the Bulgarian Bibliographical Institute (BBI) in its infinity on the road of the informatization – modus vivendi of the sustainable development of the libraries. It is shown the continuum of the library-educational and information space. It is emphasized on the futuristic approach of T. Borov which abides by the views of the most prominent modern scholars in the humanitaristics as an integral rationalization through the bibliography, documentation, archivistics, informatics, information technologies and most modern platforms of UNESCO.The conception of the library – cataloging – bibliography of BBI is defined on the basis of the cognitive hyper-textual Bulgarica (Acad. N. Mihov) and encyclopedica (Prof. T. Borov – Dr. N. N. Nikolaev – Prof. M. Kumanov).The last 221st reference-encyclopedic edition by M. Kumanov Orthodoxy in Bulgaria: Concise Historical Encyclopedia (Sofia, 2023) is treated as a model for the structuring of an encyclopedic hypertext – an emanation of the aspirations of the bibliographers.The cognitive reference-encyclopedic resources of the universities, libraries, archives, museums and galleries, created in the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (31 e-libraries; 19 volumes of Proceed. of SSS at ULSIT; 34 volumes of series Torchbearers) are rationalized as bibliographic – historiographic – encyclopedic hypertext model of the informatization – a language and fathomability of the sustainable development of the libraries.

Фондация НАБИС – устойчивост на традициите и надеждност в иновациите

Author(s): Sabina Aneva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

The NALIS Foundation is an active contributor to the creation of a highquality information environment in Bulgaria, facilitating fast and easy access, via Internet, to both the desired resource and relevant supplementary information. The good practices in implementing the Koha library system and the experience with DSpace are shared. An overview of the Foundation‘s primary projects is provided, including the NALIS project (2009–2018), Europeana Photography (2012–2015), Art Nouveau (2017–2019), REvivEU (2019–2020) and Citizen Heritage (2020–2023). The development goals for 3D digitalisation are also identified, with the Eureka3D project (2023–2024) leading the way.

Комуникация, култура, етика - фактори, за успешно функциониране на съвременната библиотека

Author(s): Valya Simeonova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

Abstract: The report examines ongoing communication processes in the modern library, as well as communication between library staff and users, organizational culture and professional ethics. The functioning and survival of the library organization is based on effective communications and ethical relationships among library staff and between library staff and users.

Националната библиография като част от международната система COBISS

Author(s): Silvia Filipova,Adriana Gaydarova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

The article traces the development of the current national bibliography (CNB) as one of the main activities of the National Library „St. St. Cyril and Methodius”. It has come a long way from its origin to its current state. The efforts of the National Library to maintain CNB in accordance with national and international trends in bibliography are visible. The stages of development of CNB are indicated, the last of which is related to the capabilities of the international COBISS.net system.

Отвореният достъп до научна информация и ползването на безплатни електронни ресурси в обучението по време на криза

Author(s): Vyara Miteva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

The article examines the origin, nature and principles of the Open Access (OA) movement to scientific and educational electronic resources worldwide.Public access to information resources enables quality new education, science, culture and innovation. Bulgaria joins the initiative through the „Bulgarian Portal for Open Science”. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised many questions for the global community related to the issues of distance learning and shared electronic resources in the digital space. Bulgarian libraries in times of crisis proved their decisive role for the benefit of society by providing free access to electronic resources.

Книгата като медия в съвременната библиотечно-информационна среда

Author(s): Lora Petrova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 2/2024

This study attempts to trace the role of books - traditional and electronic - in the modern information environment. The book as a medium and communication channel in the modern library and information environment and library and information workers as intermediaries/mediators facing the new challenges of the online environment. The librarian‘s role in this communication. Conclusions are made about the importance of books today - traditional and electronic, about the advantages and preferences of the modern reader.

Книгите на дарителите: 2018–2022 г.

Author(s): Boyana Mincheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

The publication presents the exhibition “Books acquired through donations: 2018–2022”, dedicated to the 145th anniversary of the foundation of St. St. Cyril and Methodius National library.

„Час на класа“ в Национална библиотека „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ и пътуващата изложба „Единство в различието“

Author(s): Yoanna Markova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

The practical classes, titled “Hour of the Class”, involved students from primary and secondary schools in Sofia and took place between October and November 2023 at the “History of the Book” Hall in the National Library of Bulgaria. Throughout these classes, students learned about the significant role of the National Library in Bulgaria and its function as a unifier of cultures. They were also provided with educational materials focused on the culture, traditions, and holidays of various ethnic groups, such as Roma, Bulgarians, Armenians, and Jews.Guided by an educational expert from the National Library, the children collaboratively created a calendar highlighting the holidays and customs of these ethnic groups. They also identified the corresponding dates of winter, spring, summer, and autumn religious holidays, as well as those unique to each ethnicity. After the lesson, the children were given a creative task to produce their own drawings, incorporating elements from the holidays and customs of Roma, Bulgarians, Armenians, or Jews, thereby expressing their understanding of the message “United in Diversity”. Out of 135 drawings, 30 were selected and displayed in a traveling exhibition called “United in Diversity”. The project “United in Diversity” is financed with funds from the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014–2021 under Programme PA14, “Cultural entrepreneurship, heritage, and cooperation”, Result 3, “Improved awareness of arts and culture of ethnic and cultural minorities (focus on Roma)”.

Технология на подвързията: история и приложение на Frottoir – Grattoir в реставрационната практика

Author(s): Malina Belcheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2024

Dedicated to bookbinding and book conservation the present study traces the history of the Frottoir – Grattoir tool from its first description published by Deny Diderot in the Encyclopédie,ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, from the beginning of the 18th century, to the present day implementation of the Frottoir – Grattoir in the conservation laboratories in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the USA. The focus of this conservation research is the manufacture of the first custom-made replica of the French Frottoir – Grattoir tool in Bulgaria. The author compares historical modifications and functions of the tool in the French and German bookbinding tradition, and showcases historic Frottoir – Grattoir models from private collections, their structural features and application in the current conservation practice.

State Information Security – Threats and Risks in the Third Decade of the 21st Century

Author(s): Tomasz Aleksandrowicz / Language(s): English Issue: 47/2024

The article is devoted to the categories of threats and risks to state information security. The author starts from the assumption that the dynamic development of modern society has become an important factor of change in the security and defence environment. The aim of the publication is to identify threats to the shielding apparatus of processes related to the flow of news. It is worth mentioning that the intercessory-defensive nature of the institution can be understood directly or indirectly, as destructive actions interfering with the security subject. The concept of risk is associated with the uncertainty resulting from the security subject's actions, with its consequences, especially undesirable and unforeseen. The author therefore puts forward a thesis proclaiming the necessity for authorities (understood as a security subject) to acquire defensive and offensive skills in the infosphere. In doing so, he makes two points: mastering the capabilities mentioned above only reduces the level of risk, but does not eliminate it. Realistically taming these skills requires first and foremost education on many levels, from the basics of ‘cyber security’ behaviour to the professional training of information security specialists eo ipso, and thus capable of applying both IT and engineering knowledge and at the same time social sciences, above all defence sciences.

"Ameryko! Ameryko!" Danuty Mostwin – obecność książki w przestrzeni medialnej (1958–1961)

Author(s): Ewelina Górka / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2024

This article analyses one of the publications by Danuta Mostwin published by the Literary Institute in Paris in 1961, a book entitled Ameryko! Ameryko! (America! America!). Fragments of this publication had previously been published as short stories, foreshadowing a fragment of a larger whole, in the pages of the Parisian “Kultura”. It was then published as a volume in the series “Biblioteka Kultury”. The next stage was to make it available, also in fragments, on Radio Free Europe and in selected press titles. The book’s presence could also be seen in numerous press reviews and radio talks. Nowadays, thanks to the digitalisation of the sources of the Literatury Institute in Paris, it functions in an electronic version on the website – the portal of the “Kultura”. Through the example of this publication, attention was therefore drawn to the presence of the book in the media space, while at the same time emphasising the historical dimension, as well as references to the contemporary possibilities that allow it to reach readers.

Тодор Боров: Аксиология на пътя към създаването на самостоятелна катедра по Библиотекознание и архивистика в Софийския университет през 1952 г. (екзистенциална картина на когнитивния контекст на библиотечно-информационната сфера през ХХI век)

Author(s): Alexandra Kumanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 14-15/2023

In the framework of the Gestalt of the person and deed of Todor Borov is revealed a rhi zome-reticular cognitive cluster, correlated to the German notion of the bibliosphere and historiographic school of humanitaristics in Bulgaria, related to the exteriorics of Acad. N. Mihov. The methodology of modeling through information screens in the 1940’s was termed by Todor Borov (screen) – a pioneer in the rationalization for its universal secondary-documental mapping. The library and information training is presented as an imperative in the science and practice – triunity, defined by Todor Borov. As a path for the educational trajectory in Bulgaria is described an institutional configuration, created and surmounting by Todor Borov. Its initial points indicate at the chronotope: Bulgarian Bibliographic Institute (BBI, 1941– ) – Sofia University (SU, 1943– ) – National Library (1949– ) – State Library Institute (today: University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (1950– ) – SU (1952– ). The axiology of these paragons, which are pollinated by the person and deed of Todor Borov, and even those, nonexisting (BBI), – are a source of creativity, which progressiveness is still alive. In culture, unlike the natural history, what has been, never dies. The emphasize on the intellectual achievements of the informatization in ХХІ c. on an international scale is presented as an elevation of the ideas of Todor Borov.

Diplomatic archives: the Polish segment (1918–1991) in the Ukrainian archives

Author(s): Iryna Matyash / Language(s): English Issue: 124/2023

The purpose of the article is to comprehend the essence of the concept of “diplomatic archive” and to review documents, which were created in the activities of Polish diplomatic and consular institutions and/or are related to the development of Polish-Ukrainian interstate relations, preserved in state archives in Ukraine. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, determinism, and special scientific methods of scientific heuristics, information analysis, and source criticism. The scientific novelty of the study is determined by a comprehensive analysis of the composition and content of the Polish segment in “the Ukrainian diplomatic archive” – documents generated in the activities of Polish diplomatic missions and consulates in UNR/UkrSSR and materials on surveillance of Polish diplomats in the UkrSSR during 1918–1991. Conclusions. The Polish segment in the Ukrainian diplomatic archive is not a complete set. These are documents related to contacts of the Polish mission with the authorities and institutions of the host country: drafts and texts of treaties and conventions; authorization documents of the heads of Polish diplomatic missions and consulates; official correspondence of the highest state level; documents generated in the course of activities of Polish diplomatic missions and consulates in the host country; documents related to the implementation of consular functions; audiovisual documents; materials of special services’ supervision and materials of party control over the activities of Polish diplomatic missions and consulates. It seems important to create a common archival and information base on the composition and content of Polish and Ukrainian diplomatic archives.