Manuscripts digitizing in CSIC libraries

Abstract

Since 2009, the CSIC Library Coordination Unit has been promoting a digitalization policy for the CSIC Library Network, in an attempt to implement uniform technical criteria and standards in order to improve co-operation with national and international institutions and projects. On the other hand, the CSIC deemed appropriate to incorporate the study of the written heritage to the Institute of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. To this end, a new research group specifically dedicated to this field was opened, focused specifically in codicological and palaeographic studies of manuscripts, written in the languages of the Mediterranean basin during the Antiquity and Middle Ages. Within the scope of the research, and after having catalogued all Hebrew manuscripts kept in Madrid libraries, a new research project has been developed: the construction of a portal of oriental manuscripts conserved in CSIC libraries. The Portal is the result of a joint project carried out by the Institute of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures (ILC), the School of Arabic Studies in Granada (EEA) and the CSIC Library Coordination Unit and includes all Hebrew manuscripts of both CSIC institute libraries. It has been designed to offer not only to scholars, but also to librarians, all useful information about each document: digitizing, codicological information, content and catalographical data. Methodological and catalographical aspects of the project will be analyzed.