Abstract:

In recent decades, digitization has become a major priority of memory institutions, both globally and in Bulgaria specifically. It is difficult to identify important archives, libraries or museums that have not developed a digitization programme and have not reported results in this direction. This fully applies to the National Library of Bulgaria – “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” (NLCM). In this regard, the library has achieved remarkable results in digitizing its impressive collections of old manuscripts and documents.

The report focuses on analysis of the benefits of digitizing one of the largest collections preserved in the institution. It is a significant collection of Arabographic documents – Ottoman, Arabic and Persian archival materials, manuscripts and early printed books, which are preserved and processed by the “Oriental Collections” Department at the NLCM. The collection is particularly impressive and in the scholarly literature is generally referred to as “the third largest Ottoman archival collection in the world” – as it is ranked next only to the Ottoman archival collections preserved in Istanbul and Cairo.

The main archival fonds of the Sofia Ottoman archival collection will be presented together with analysis of the specific circumstances regarding the scholarly reference aids prepared so far – particularly their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, the results achieved in terms of digitization will be also analysed. The article seeks answer to the question why currently the digitization process cannot be accelerated, despite the significant national and international interest in the documents. The main perspectives for the digitization of the Ottoman archival collection will be presented with arguments.

Keywords:

Ottoman archives, ICT, digitization, Ottoman and Bulgarian History.