Abstract:

In recent years digitization has been among the priorities of memory institutions in the European Union, as well as in Bulgaria. A considerable volume of normative documents has been introduced – such as recommendations of the European Commission, and tangible results have been achieved. For example, in November 2008 was launched the common European initiative – Europeana, and later was also launched the Archives Portal Europe. The results are undoubtedly significant.

This report will present and analyse the common European goals and strategies regarding digitisation and will highlight some difficulties – especially from the point of view of undertaking common European policy by the archival institutions in this direction. The subordination of the archives of the European Union member states to institutions with different profiles – for example, the Ministry of Culture (France), the Ministry of the Interior (Romania), etc. is one of the reasons why it is difficult and slow to establish and implement common European goals in the field of archives. However, such initiatives have been started and they are a good basis for future cooperation.

Some strategic documents prepared in Bulgaria in regard to digitization will be presented and the author will analyse and highlight the extent to which European Union initiatives are reflected in Bulgarian conditions – specifically from the perspective of archives and institutions preserving archival materials. Some larger Bulgarian projects (completed and ongoing) will be presented as well, which provides for optimism for the further development of the process of digitization of archives and for providing online access to the documents preserved by them.

Keywords:

Digitization, European Union, Europeana, Archives Portal Europe, Bulgaria.