2019

From the 28-31 October, 2019, Dr Ismet Ovčina, Director of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina visited the National and University Library St. Kliment Ohridski in Skopje, Macedonia.

The objectives of the exchange were

• To make updates to the cooperation agreement between North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to ensure it is viable and legal.
• To discuss potential future exhibitions featuring manuscripts from North Macedonia and the Bosnia and Herzegovina from some historical periods meaningful for the Balkans.
• To meet with representatives of Librarian Association of North Macedonia, where I am editorial board international member.
• To discuss the Journal Bosniaca and editorial politics with editorial board members based at the Library St. Kliment Ohridski.

Summary of the Exchange

At the invitation of the director Mr. Frymzim Dauti, and with the financial support of CENL, Dr. Ismet Ovčina visited the National and University Library “St. Kliment Ohridski”in Skopje.

On this occasion, Dr. Ismet Ovčina also met Ms. Žaklina Gjalevska, Head of NCC (National COBISS Center of Northern Macedonia) and Member of the International Editorial Board of the journal Bosniaca (NUBB&H professional  journal), thanked her for her exceptional cooperation so far and expressed the wish to continue this activity in the next issues of this extremely important library journal.

Dr. Ovčina also met with Ms. Jana Mihajlovski-Ivanov, President of the Society of Librarians of Macedonia (BZM), where he highlighted the importance and role of the work of library associations in these countries. Dr. Ovčina was a member of the International Program Committee and Information on the Conference of the Macedonian Library Association, October 2019.

Outcomes of the Exchange

A cooperation agreement was signed between the two national libraries:

• To exchange of books, magazines, newspapers, electronic publications and other library material published in the Republic of Northern Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the interest of cultural heritage. The scope and selection will be agreed upon by the respective services of the two libraries.
• To exchange of professional, scientific, bibliographic and other personal publications, with the updating of reports on newly published publications. Interlibrary lending of library material in accordance with the Universal Availability of Publications (UAP) Program as recommended by IFLA, with payment terms facilitated.
• To exchange of experts in the field of librarianship and exchange of experience in professional processes.
• To make available of bibliographic records, regardless of the software on which they are created. Joint projects; exhibitions, seminars, conservation and restoration, digitization, etc.

In addition to meetings with his Macedonian counterparts, Dr. Ovčina visited a number of cultural institutions in Skopje, including a visit to the Museum of the City of Skopje, which currently has on display an exhibition of the National Museum of B&H, Between Two Empires: Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Photographs of Frantisek Topic 1885 – 1919.

Quotes from participants

Dr. Ovčina: It was my pleasure to be a guest for a while in the Library St. Kliment Ohridski.

Also, it was worth sharing our knowledge and experience with colleagues from North Macedonia and it is important to continue with our professional ties as well with our friendly relations. We are happy and proud to have these kinds of relations with all colleagues in our Region and beyond.

 Mr. Dauti: On this occasion we have discussed the ways and possibilities of extending the cooperation between the national libraries of North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, it was nice opportunity to exchange experiences and best practices in certain processes from the field of library and information sciences.

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