Competencies of the Librarians in Special Archival Libraries: example of the Croatian State Archives Library

Iako razvoj specijalnih knjižnica započinje krajem 18. i početkom 19. stoljeća, 20. stoljeće se naziva stoljećem specijalnih knjižnica. Nakon kratkog pregleda specijalnih knjižnica, ističu se neki aspekti povijesti Knjižnice Hrvatskog državnog arhiva te pregled djelovanja knjižničara u arhivskim knjižnicama u Hrvatskoj. U drugom dijelu govori se o potrebnim znanjima i vještinama knjižničara / informacijskih stručnjaka zaposlenih u specijalnim knjižnicama. Cilj je rada ukazati na specifičnosti rada u knjižnicama pri arhivima, s posebnim osvrtom na dodatna znanja i vještine koje se očekuju od knjižničara u takvim knjižnicama.Although development of the special libraries began at the end of the 18th and in the early 19th century, the 20th century is known as a century of special libraries. Specialisation of library collections and services led to establishment of special libraries, first in Great Britain in the first half of the 18th century, then in the United States of America and Europe. In Croatia first special libraries were established at the beginning of the 19th century. First special libraries differed by thematic collections. They gradually developed, and their principal task became serving to their institutions. Apart from meeting user needs, special libraries are research and development centers occupied with research and development of controlled dictionaries of specified disciplines, and information use, but also with their impact on scientific and professional work. Special libraries can be roughly divided into two groups. Corporate libraries are being established within companies or organizations to meet information needs of its employees. On the other side, many of archival or museum libraries, same as libraries of voluntary or professional associations, or libraries with regional tasks, do not serve a narrow population, but offer their services and open their collections to the general public. According to such missions, their goals and quality indicators differ. Characteristics of special archival libraries may be recognized in both groups. They tend to posses qualities of corporate libraries efficiency and quick delivery of required information to their clientele, and their collection building is based on actual user needs. From the other group they take over a quality of building comprehensive collections on specified subjects or with regional imprint, preserving collections for future generations. Publishing of bibliographies and catalogues and organization of cultural events will often be included in their tasks