Vatican's digital archive collection goes online and now anyone can access it through its website Vatlib.it. The Apostolic library's digital archive drives make4000 manuscripts available online as of now.
Digital Initiatives.
NTT Data who is a global leader in the IT service provider area has made all the efforts to make library go online. AMLAD high definition digital platform was created by NTT Data to work on various devices like tablets, mobiles, and desktops.
It's a four-year project" says one of the spokespersons from NTT Data and we will complete it in different stages.
We will provide services to store the data insufficient and secure platform." Toshio Iwamoto - President and CEO of NTT expounded that they are "excited and enthusiastic" about the project and they will remain committed in the future. According to Vatican Library sources, this is a unique opportunity to provide innovative ways to share archives available with the people.
Glorious Past.
Vatican Library was established in 1475 and is one of the oldest libraries in the world. Currently, Vatican Library holds about 75000 codices, 85000 incunabula and about 1.1 million books. Apart from all these, there are around 400000 coins and medals, millions of photographs, prints, drawings. The library stores a large collection starting from the pre-Christian era to the present day collection.
Vatican Library consists of a collection of many languages from west to east and has Mathematics, Science, Social Science and many other subjects' related collection.
Online Data Creation.
Digitalisation of 80000 codices was started in 2010 and completed in 2014. The project was started to keep in mind the long-term preservation via an online library.
"We are very happy with the outcome of the project," stated Vatican Library correspondent. The problem was what to digitalise first as there is a large amount of data available to be digitalised. Priorities have to be set. The project was taken up in phases after separating data for digitalisation. Advanced scanners and high-definition cameras were used for digitalization of the archives.
A 50mp camera was used to capture images.
Decades to complete.
Selection of images and manuscript were crucial as the large amounts of data will take decades to complete. Data and images were gathered as per its usefulness, fragile nature, and danger of losing data. Implementation of VATDIGILAB based on global metadata encryption and API available to secure data view.Vatican Library has a different department to smoothly manage its digital and online library.
Manuscript Department.
The work of the Manuscript Department is to preserve and release data. This department collects the data stores that data securely.
Inventories and Catalogue Maintenance
This department works to make a catalogue for an online and digital library.
Making sections and setting priorities for what needs to be made available first. This department also keeps inventories and makes necessary changes whenever required.
Staff.
The staff department studies highly valuable data and makes it available to other departments as required. This department makes the library's vast collection available to scholars and readers.
