As coleções de obras raras na biblioteca digital

The aim of this study was to explore the digital access to rare book collections and rare book librarian’s new profile. Internet search engines were used in collecting data from institutions and librarians from Brazil and around the world. People responsible for rare book collections that were listened on libraries sites and members of the electronic discussion lists related to rare books were contacted. A questionnaire was sent by e-mail and the results categorized into three classes: issues about the digital access, issues about the digital library’s characteristics and, about the rare book librarian’s profile. The valorization process of the rare book collections with the implementation of digital access is outlined in this study. The results shows that there is an increase in the number of local users and the emergence of new types of users as a consequence of the digital access to the most valuable rare material from the libraries. To provide digital access to the rare material is a strategic decision taken by the libraries management teams. These teams are still in the process of evaluating their holdings and the opportunities created by the new access. Our study identified some digitalization collective initiatives of rare material from libraries as a solution to the concern of the standardization of the practices related to the electronic documents. The major initiatives observed came from the university libraries that were preoccupied with the integration of rare book collections with the other institution’s research material. An evaluation of the rare book librarian’s profile was made focusing the experience and training adaptability to activities related to the digital access. Some of their special skills have became compatible to the new technology started from a personal interest in the technological developments of the Internet. As a general introduction to the rare books collections at the Internet, this study is best seen as a tentative interpretation of the new possibilities that the digital access may contribute to the libraries and to its most valuables holdings