DIGITAL FORTRESS: NATIONAL DIGITISATION STRATEGY IN SERBIA

Text topic: E-Libraries

Text author: Тамара Бутиган-Вучај

Digitisation of the national heritage is a complex process requiring a systematic approach at all levels, as a logical and balanced development of the national digitization project is necessary. A good national strategy should provide the needed systematic approach. Is there something that can facilitate faster adoption of this document, and are there any obstacles along the way? The search for answers leads from the previous efforts put in the digitization strategy document in Serbia, to the recommendations of the European Union in the field, including some examples of good practice in the neighboring countries that have some sort of national digitisation programs, but also the polemics of strategy sustainability.

The current state in Serbia confirms that unsystematic digitisation and sequencing of individual and closed projects, does not provide long-term results equal to the ones achievable by a clear policy and a systematic approach to digitisation. On the other part, creating a national digitisation strategy in Serbia looks like conquering a huge digital fortress.