From Divergence to Convergence in Hungarian Librarianship: Towards a Common Digital Platform

• Published in: Libri (København) 2018-12, Vol.68 (4), p.315-329
• Main Authors: Kiszl, Péter, Radó, Rita, Hubay, Miklós Péter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hungary; information systems; librarianship; national development programmes; training
• ISSN: 0024-2667; 1865-8423
• DOI: 10.1515/libri-2018-0049

Hungarian librarianship and related research are sadly underrepresented in international literature. With this article we intend to fill this gap and inform the experts of library and information science of some of the most recent Hungarian innovations. After showcasing the international professional connections of Hungarian librarianship, we present the structure of the Hungarian public library network and its mode of operation. We also analyse current and future main digital development plans, projects and the most important related professional activities of Hungarian libraries. Emphasis is placed on information systems promoting cooperation between libraries and the issues of the National Library System Project, which is a large-scale modernisation programme carried out between 2016 and 2018, designed to develop the IT system of the National Széchényi Library. After introducing the information systems of academic and specialised libraries and the access models of scientific databases provided by multinational and Hungarian content services, we also discuss the endeavours of public libraries aiming for multifunctionality and community organisation. The paper ends by providing insights into how the outcomes of the recent initiatives have been fed back into Hungarian LIS training courses offered in higher education.