The public‐private partnership case study in digitization of audiovisual heritage

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how one relatively small public library, limited in funds and resources, managed to cope with the challenges of digitization of audiovisual material related to local heritage. The paper will also tackle the problem of preservation of information on obsolete media and their digitization in an effort of preserving one important part of the cultural legacy of the twentieth century, which is in danger of being lost due to technology advancement or human negligence.

Design/methodology/approach

The author will describe one possible solution of obtaining audiovisual material in libraries and its digitization through established public‐private partnership between the Public Library in Čačak and private enterprise sector, or more precisely between Library's Digitization Centre and a local TV station. This partnership forced librarians to introduce new technologies, equipment and practice in their everyday work, to be able to successfully answer challenges of digitization and preservation of audiovisual material.

Findings

The public libraries should pay attention to their old collections of audio tapes, VHS, Betamax and other media nowadays out of usage, as well as to other audiovisual collections important for the local heritage kept under the auspices of institutions and individuals in the community.

Originality/value

There are not many papers dealing with the described issues of digitization of audiovisual material in public libraries. This paper could be of use for many smaller cultural and memory institutions throughout the world.

Citation

Trifunović, B. (2013), "The public‐private partnership case study in digitization of audiovisual heritage", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 30-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650751311294537