Friday, December 01, 2006

Iraq National Library and Archive

History News Network reported on Nov. 28 that the Iraq National Library and Archive has closed, due to the institution being bombed three times over a three week period as well as being subjected to snipper gun fire. We think of materials not surviving because of decay, but here the materials may be bombed out of existence.

Digitization can help to ensure access to history, IF the materials are available to digitize. Here is an institution where the materials may not survive to be used, let alone digitized. Words cannot describe how devastating it would be if the holdings of the Iraq National Library and Archive do not survive.

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