Library services in a „Center of Excellence": Collegium Budapest

Abstract

The institution attracting intemational interest, the Collegium Budapest has chosen a way different from that of other centers of science and re¬search in Hungary. In spite of its status which is independent from universities and other higher education institutions, Collegium Budapest has strong ties with the academia of Hungary. The various needs of scientists visiting here from this country and from abroad in the framework of fel-lowships for one or more semesters, present a special challenge for the library of the institution. The library collection is small, consists maínly of reference books and directories, therefore the library services have been using to a great exíent national and intemational interlibrary íending services. The infrastructural background (Internet connection, Pentium II and III computers etc.) is excellent, providing the fellows with links to the web and the librarians with the easy availability of online sources. The development program of the library is focused on automation and retrospective conversion meaning the elimination of present access restrictions of the collection, and alsó the possibility of remote searching capabilities.
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