About the Project

The project “Establishment of a Digital Library and Digitization of Local Heritage Collections” represents one of the most significant steps in modernizing the work of the Public Library “Hristo Botev” in Bosilegrad and preserving the cultural heritage of the local community.

The digitization process began as part of broader initiatives to establish a digital center within the Cultural Center "Bosilegrad" and to digitize cultural heritage in the municipality of Bosilegrad, as early as 2018, when the technical and organizational conditions for systematic work in this field were created.

Since then, digitization has been carried out continuously, with gradual expansion of collections and improvement of technical capacities.

Digitization Process

Digitization is implemented through several phases, including:

✔️ selection and preparation of materials
✔️ cataloging and processing
✔️ high-resolution scanning
✔️ creation of metadata
✔️ publishing in the digital repository

In the work so far, particularly significant results have been achieved in the digitization of periodicals. Thus, within the first phases of the project, several decades of the newspaper “Bratstvo” were digitized – a total of 53 years, more than 2,200 issues and over 26,000 pages.

This has laid a solid foundation for the further development of the digital library as a modern repository of cultural heritage.

Criteria for Material Selection

Clearly defined criteria are applied in the digitization process:

📌 significance of the material for the history, culture, and identity of the local community
📌 rarity and vulnerability of original copies
📌 frequency of use by users
📌 scientific and research value
📌 copyright status

Special priority is given to materials belonging to the Local Heritage Collection, as the most valuable segment of the library’s holdings.

Local Heritage Collection

The Local Heritage Collection includes publications, documents, and other materials related to Bosilegrad and its surroundings – history, culture, language, customs, and notable individuals.

This collection forms the core of the digital library, as it contains unique and often hard-to-access materials. Digitization ensures:

✔️ long-term preservation of originals
✔️ accessibility to a wider audience
✔️ support for scientific research

The goal is to make local heritage materials accessible both to the local population and to researchers and descendants of displaced families.

Periodicals

Periodicals hold a special place in the digital library as an important source for studying social, cultural, and political life.

The digitization of the newspaper “Bratstvo” represents one of the most significant segments of the project, as it provides insight into the continuity of life and development of the local community over several decades.

In the coming period, it is planned to expand digitization to other journals, newspapers, and serial publications.

Project Funding

The implementation of the project has been made possible thanks to the support of several institutions.

The key funders and co-funders were:

➡️ Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia
➡️ Municipality of Bosilegrad
➡️ National Council of the Bulgarian National Minority in Serbia
➡️ Cultural Center "Bosilegrad"
➡️ Public Library "Hristo Botev"

In addition, local cultural institutions and partners played a significant role in the implementation, contributing both technically and through the provision of materials and professional cooperation.

Project Significance

The establishment of the digital library has created conditions for:

✔️ preservation and protection of cultural heritage
✔️ easier and faster access to information
✔️ development of scientific research
✔️ connecting the local community with modern digital trends

The project represents the foundation for further development of a modern, hybrid library that successfully combines traditional and digital forms of knowledge.