IZUM and Libraries – 25 Years of Successful Cooperation

Abstract

In 2009, IZUM will celebrate 25th anniversary of its operation in the field of library automation and the computer linking of libraries. Over this time, many social and technological changes occurred and affected its development. Crucial in finding the location of the national centre for the automation of libraries in Maribor was a young Maribor-based university that saw in computer technology its development opportunity. Since the very beginning of our operation, a systematic approach and international standards, following the model of OCLC, have been applied. The chosen concept of shared cataloguing interfered with a traditional library hierarchy, whilst the automation brought about a number of other changes in the operation of libraries and thus also provoked conservative oppositions. Researchers and universities were first to become aware of how important was the computerisation of libraries, and in 1988 IZUM was appointed by the Federal Secretariat for Development as the leader of a large-scale project on the system of scientific and technological information of Yugoslavia. In a short period until the disintegration of Yugoslavia, in all republics and regions the foundations of automated library systems had been laid, which were of great relevance for the development after new states became independent. In Slovenia, IZUM got the role of a public institution for the development and maintenance of the COBISS.SI library system and the SICRIS current research information system. Following the Slovenian model, the projects on virtual libraries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia have been set up and carried out. All these library systems have linked by common agreement into a COBISS.Net network. With Bulgaria joining the network and with the interest for cooperation shown also by libraries in Albania and Kosovo, COBISS.Net has become one of the largest library networks in Europe. Through COBISS, IZUM has significantly contributed to the reputation of library profession. Today, the library profession is symbolised by information and communication technology, although only a quarter of a century ago, it was associated with dusty book warehouses.