Libraries’ book fund to be fully digitalized

The book fund of the public libraries will be fully digitalized until 2020, in accordance with the national cultural sphere informatization program for 2012-2020 that was approved by the Government this week, Info-Prim Neo reports. Minister of Culture Boris Focsa said a study made at the start of last year showed that only 17.2% of the libraries were outfitted with computers and 10.8% were connected to the Internet. Only 3.4% of the libraries had a website, while the difference between the informatization level of the rural libraries and the urban ones was very high. “The digitalization of libraries will facilitate access to information as an instrument for educational development,” stated the minister. The program endorsed by the Government also envisions the digitalization of 75% of the material and immaterial cultural heritage and provision of public services that will guarantee access to the cultural values. Among them, Boris Focsa mentioned the creation of the information systems “National Archeological Patrimony”, “National Immaterial Heritage Archive”, “Virtual Museum”, “Creation Patrimony”, the electronic guides “Orheiul Vechi Reserve”, “Monasteries and Churches”, “Fortresses” and others. There will be also designed an online system for purchasing tickets for visiting cultural heritage sites. A sum of 74.3 million lei is needed for implementing the program. The money will be allocated in tranches from the budget and from donations.