Digitisation for access: the digitisation of rare books at theBritish Library

摘要

The British Library's collections of books printed in English andnin other western European languages from the fifteenth to the nineteenthncenturies are the greatest in the world, both in terms of the numbers ofnindividual editions and in their range and scope. Early PrintednCollections selects, acquires and catalogues books printed in Englishnbefore 1915 and in Western European languages before 1851. We exercise anduty of care with respect to the collections and make them available innthe Rare Books and Music Reading Room, where all books printed beforen1851 (and other rare material) must be consulted. We provide an enquirynservice for readers, scholars and researchers in the Reading Room and bynmail, fax or email. We also aim to raise awareness of the significancenof the collections and to promote a better understanding of theirnpotential as a research resource. Early Printed Collections isndeveloping a wide-ranging digitisation programme based on the Library'snunrivalled collections of early printed books, newspapers, printednephemera, posters, bindings, decorated papers and photographs. Theirnwide dissemination will transform access to the national collection andnpromote public understanding of its significance and use