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From a dispersed medieval collection to one international library: the virtual reconstruction of the monastic library of Lorsch

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 January 2016

Alexandra Büttner  and
Michael Kautz
Alexandra Büttner*
Affiliation:
Heidelberg University Library, Plöck 107-109, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Michael Kautz*
Affiliation:
Manuscripts and Early Printed Books Department, Heidelberg University Library, Plöck 107-109, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
*
Email: buettner_alexandra@ub.uni-heidelberg.de
Email: kautz@ub.uni-heidelberg.de
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Abstract

The historically significant manuscript collection of the medieval Abbey Lorsch is today scattered over various institutions in different countries. Based on the last major research 309 manuscripts were identified in 73 libraries, archives and museums as part of the international digitization project Bibliotheca Laureshamensis - digital. By means of digital facsimiles all former Lorsch manuscripts were united in one virtual library, freely accessible in the internet, and enriched with detailed manuscript descriptions. The dispersed character of the library and the broad variety of holding institutions shaped the project profoundly. They not only had an impact on organisational matters as well as the digitization and cataloguing workflow but also coined the presentation and entire structure of the Virtual Monastic Library of Lorsch.

Type
Research Article
Information
Art Libraries Journal , Volume 40 , Issue 3 , 2015 , pp. 11 - 20
Copyright
Copyright © The Art Libraries Society 2015

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References

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