PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE LITERARY AND DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE: PRINCIPLES AND STAGES, REGULATIONS, GOOD PRACTICES

Abstract

Literary and documentary heritage is a major source of cultural, historical and national identity. In the digital age, when access to information is easy, the physical storage and preservation of documents is exposed to increasing threats – from climate change, physical degradation and lack of resources. The research is based on the analysis of international documents (Programmes of UNESCO and IFLA, the European Union) and national regulation (the Law on Cultural Heritage in Bulgaria and the Law on the National Archive Fund). Inclusion of examples of good practices from countries with a well-developed strategy for the preservation of documentary heritage (USA, Germany), outlines conservation and digitization measures. The conclusions are based on an analysis of the existing data from Bulgarian archives and libraries, obtained as a result of conducted field studies, as well as those made by archivists and specialists in the field of cultural heritage.