Availability of contents is "major mission" of Azorean libraries and archives, says Avelino Meneses
The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated in Lagoa, S. Miguel Island, that the provision of contents on "modern and secure formats" is the "greatest challenge" that Azorean libraries and archives now face.
"Without neglecting the problem of facilities, and despite the multiplication of inventories of books and documents, the major mission now concerns to make the valuable contents of our libraries and archives in an orderly manner, always taking into consideration the interests of each user," said Avelino Meneses. He spoke at the opening of the 17th Regional Meeting of Librarians, Archivists and Documentalists.
In his speech, the government official stated that, as for the cultural sector, institutions as well as musical and theatre groups give shape to the "purposes" of the Government's policies. They are essentially aimed at "transmitting the heritage of our ancestors to future generations and stimulating the creative capacity of cultural agents."
This year, after the creation of a network of regional libraries and archives and a network of museums and visiting collections in the Azores, the Government is working towards "achieving an old goal," which is to endow all islands with a quality museum unit, stressed Avelino Meneses.
The Regional Secretary said that this purpose "is almost accomplished." In this regard, he pointed out the opening of Vila do Porto Centre of Santa Maria Museum last summer, the future opening of the Museum of Time, which is the first building of Corvo Ecomuseum, and the beginning of the works of Francisco de Lacerda Museum on S. Jorge.