Διαχείριση του πολύτιμου υλικού σε Ελληνικές βιβλιοθήκες. Χαρτογράφηση και αξιολόγηση των ειδικών και σπάνιων συλλογών στις βιβλιοθήκες: Εθνική Βιβλιοθήκη της Ελλάδος, Γεννάδειος Βιβλιοθήκη και Ιστορική Βιβλιοθήκη Ιδρύματος Αικατερίνης Λασκαρίδη

Abstract

In the Libraries, the librarians act as curators, appraisers and administrators of the material of the Collections, in order to provide access and achieve its preservation for the next generations. This is an urgent need especially in cases where the material they manage falls into the category of rare material, cultural property, movable cultural heritage, irreplaceable and unique material. The object of this research is the material of the Department of Special and Rare Collections (Closed Collections) of Libraries, which is governed by its own Policy. It aims to investigate the existing conditions and practices followed in accordance with the Collection Policy of the Department of Rare and Special Collections in three Greek Libraries: a) the National Library of Greece, b) the Gennadius Library and c) the Historical Library of the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation. The items of the Special Collection Libraries require special handling and they are selected according to a Prioritization System of their value and significance, following specific criteria assessment. The Evaluation System depends on the Library’s type, on the broader objectives of the Foundation / Organization that it owns and manages, on the spaces it has, on the community it serves, on the staff and its budget. The data gathering and the study of the Special and Rare Collections Departments of the three exemplary Libraries was based on field research, using the following tools: structured questionnaires, interview and on-site observation. To conclude, the processing of the research data, shows that all three Libraries have knowledge of their material according to their evaluation assessment (which has already been done or is currently taking place). It also proves, after their critical comparison with the international Bibliographic data (manuals, articles, standards, legislation, regulations, guidelines, etc.), that a common goal, which seems to run through all management methods and services to the patrons, is the longevity of the material and the minimization of wear from use to get it available for the next generations. At the same time, the aim is to balance this book-central system with a more controlled and extroverted policy.