Supplementary reply to Recommendation 1173 (1992) on the preservation of libraries and scientific archives in the countries of central and eastern Europe

18 May 1995

Doc. 7311

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS

Supplementary reply to Recommendation 1173 (1992)

on the preservation of libraries and scientific archives

in the countries of central and eastern Europe

(adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 4 May 1995

at the 537th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

Further to the interim reply given to Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1173 (1992) in April 1992, the Committee of Ministers, conscious of the difficult situation which exists in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe in regard to scientific research and development, wishes to inform the Parliamentary Assembly of the following:

At their 474th meeting (April 1992), the Ministers' Deputies decided to ask the Secretariat to investigate the needs of the countries concerned in regard to the preservation of libraries and scientific archives. A preliminary survey was prepared by Dr. Erko HÄKLI, Vice-President of the League of European Research Libraries (LIBER), on the basis of answers to a letter sent to the national libraries in each country, with the exception of the Former Yugoslavia where the National Library of Slovenia was chosen. The result of this survey confirmed the evident urgency of the problem.

So far the actions developed by the Secretariat in regard to the preservation of the libraries and scientific archives in Central and Eastern Europe have in particular consisted of providing technical assistance and raising awareness in relation to unique collections in danger. These actions are the following:

1. Adhering to the call launched by UNESCO in regard to the reconstruction of the Sarajevo Library, the Council of Europe has especially worked in raising public consciousness. To this end, a book was partially supported ("Voyage balkanique") and patronage was given to the publication of main works of the Bosnian culture ("Bosnische Bibliothek", by Wieser Verlag). Technical assistance for collection developments within the library will also be provided, once the library is able to work under normal conditions.

2. As regards the call launched to professional organisations for restructuring the Albanian national archives, the Council of Europe has arranged for the storage of these archives so that, in the future, they may be re-arranged in suitable places as soon as these can be found. A technical mission took place in August 1994 to investigate and assess the needs in terms of furniture and infrastructure, and another will follow this year. The active role played in this field by Switzerland deserves to be mentioned.

3. As concerns the preservation of the Russian State Historical Archives at St. Petersburg, the Council of Europe, in co-operation with UNESCO, has taken action consisting so far in giving patronage to the Association Baroque, which is active in fund-raising. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe joined the Director General of UNESCO in a call launched on 7 April 1995 in favour of the preservation of the historic state archives of Russia in St. Petersburg.

4. Furthermore, contacts have been established with the European Board of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA), the European Commission on Preservation and Access (ECPA) and LIBER, with a view to preparing a handbook containing elementary principles for the conservation and preservation of library and archives collections. This handbook is intended mainly for managers of small public and private libraries and archives. The action is in progress and the first joint meeting is expected to be held in the second half of 1995, during which arrangements for the dissemination of this handbook will be prepared.