Digital library

Since 2000 the National Library of Latvia has implemented several serious projects, thus forming a digital library, which ensures a long-term preservation and wide accessibility to the unique Latvia culture heritage: national bibliography, periodicals, maps, posters, ancient photographs and sound recordings.

Now the following information is available:

HERITAGE – 1: Preservation of Latvian Periodicals

Poster in Latvia 1899 – 1945 and Poster in Latvia 1945 - 2000

The virtual gallery of Latvian posters includes ca. 600 posters from the unique collection of the Library.

Latvia in the 16th – 18th Century Maps

The collection of the Digital Library stores 130 maps of Latvia or its historical regions.

Latvian History of Civilization in Images. Part A: Portraits

The database contains 3700 portraits from the collection of the NLL and the State Archive of Latvia. Their originals (drawings, silhouette portraits, daguerreotypes and photographs) have been created prior to 1914. A great part of images shows individuals identified by the researchers of the history of civilization, however the database comprises unknown portraits, too (probably not to be identified any more). The database is created within the framework of the target programme “Co-operation Projects of Libraries, Archives and Museums in Digital Environment” supported by the Culture Capital Foundation.

Ancient Prints in Latvian, 1525-1855

The Union catalogue of ancient prints is envisaged as a part of the national bibliography- almost a complete bibliographic list revealing the starting point of the Latvian book publishing, as well as a bibliographic base, an auxiliary means for acquaintance with and the research of the past of the Latvian culture in Social Sciences and the Humanities. The Union Catalogue comprises ancient prints in Latvian having been published prior to December 31, 1855.

Revolution of 1905-1907 in Latvia

The compiled literature (articles from books, newspapers and magazines- ca. 4 000 records) in the bibliographic index chronologically reflects the course of events and the run of the revolution important for the Latvian nation, having taken place in different Latvian regions. The index has been made in the period before regaining the independence of Latvia, therefore the publications issued abroad pertaining the subject are found seldom there.
The search is made easier with the help of the index of persons and the added geographical index.

Scores of Symphonic Music by Latvian Composers

Within the framework of the project A Year of Latvian Symphonic Music, 2005 scores of symphonic music with orchestra voices by Latvian authors are rewritten anew. Digital Library comprises popular compositions, which are not published and are available only in a written form.

Wax cylinders

Insight into the records found in wax cylinders stored at the Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts.

We realize that we are at the very outset of the process. There are ten thousands of newspapers, manuscript sheets, thousand pages of books, photographs, small prints, sheet music, hundreds of sound recordings, maps, posters and other publications to be converted into electronic format not only for saving the original, but also for finding it at every working station with an Internet connection. The beginning doesn’t imply only an amount. Data processing is of great importance to ensure access to the Digital Library and make the search extensive and convenient. We are ready to start the preservation program (digital heritage) of national electronic publications. However all these activities ask of new investments and manpower. It is expected that the Digital Library and its accessibility will steadily develop from year to year

If you notice any inaccuracies, you are asked to send them to the address: iveta.tiltina@lnb.lv.