IT and libraries: The National Library of France aims to increase its digital collections

In the near future the National Library of France (BNF) is planning to digitize 210—280 thousand works and make some works available as eBooks.

Within the framework of the project the library is going to digitize 70 thousand editions per year within three-four years, the library’s spokesmen say. These e-copies will increase collections of Gallica – BNF’s digital library.

Altogether BNF plans to digitize at least 210 thousand editions, 70% of them will be printed editions from its own collections, while 30% will be offered by libraries-partners. Future digitized editions will be provided in high resolution – 400 ppi, in color or in grey depending on their features. 10% will be completed in ePub, intended for eBooks.

Publications, chosen for digitization, cover such subject areas as French literature, philosophy, law, economics, politics, art, history and science. As a result of past digitization efforts, launched by BNF in 2007, the library succeeded in scanning 36.6 million pages.