Audiovisual Archives and Digitalization Center – a new SASA section

The ceremonial opening of the Audiovisual Archives and Digitalization Center, situated at No. 3 Vuka Karadžića Street, took place on Nov. 19, the Day of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, in the presence of a large number of guests. The Audiovisual Archives and Digitalization Center was opened by its director, Radoslav Zelenović, and Academician Vasilije Krestić, Director of the SASA Archives. The new premises where SASA material will be digitalized sprawl over four levels. The basement houses a server hall, whereas the ground floor and the mezzanine contain digitalization equipment of the latest generation. The Archives building also features a multifunctional hall on the first floor, where gatherings, conferences and panels on digitalization and other topics will be held. The hall is fitted with dedicated state-of-the-art equipment.

The Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts has founded the Audiovisual Archives and Digitalization Center out of awareness that digitalization of cultural heritage has become one of the most important tasks whose goal is not only its preservation and promotion, but also the preservation of national identity.

Construction work and equipment procurement started at the end of last year. A room in the immediate vicinity of the SASA Archives was adapted for the purpose of easier and safer digitalization of the material housed in the Archives. Also, work has been completed on the formation of a section of the Archives of the Serbian Orthodox Church at Sremski Karlovci whose task will be to digitalize the archival material in SASA’s care. This section will open on Dec. 7.

Most of the equipment necessary for the Archives to start operating has been procured. Additional equipment that will ensure that digitalization is done in accordance with the highest standards will be procured in the first half of next year. The priority of the Archives in next few years will be to digitalize the entire cultural heritage kept in SASA and place it at the disposal of the public.