User:Rapunzel2008/sandbox


 * Slovakia became a part of Czechoslovak Republic at its establishment in 1918. It set up state supported cultural institutions including universities, libraries, theaters, and museums. After World War II, the republic came under the influence of the Soviet Union. Then on January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia separated and the new Slovakia republic was established on the principles of a free market economy and democratic values. It became a member of the UNO and the IMF. Slovakia joined the OECD and in 2004, joined NATO.
 * In 1959, Act No 53/59 Col. was issued that established a national system of libraries. This system consisted of public, research, schools, museums, archives universities, and other libraries and was directed by the Matica Slovenska. The centralized system lasted as long as Slovakia was under communist control from 1959-1989. After independence, the library system was marked by decentralization and cooperation between library networks and making use of new digitalization and web technologies to further cooperation not only between their libraries but also with other European and world partners.
 * After the Velvet Revolution in 1991, the Slovak National Council decided to create a Parliamentary library in a resolution called "Proposal for the Gradual Creation of a Parliamentary Library of the Slovak National Council during the years 1991-1992." The library became a part of the organization of the Chancellery of the Slovak National Council. However, on January 1, 1993, it became a self-standing division within the Chancellery of the parliament. It works closely with the Slovakia National Library, the Law Library of Comenius University and several others.
 * In 1990, the general assembly of Slovakian Librarians and Information Professionals Association, previously funded by the Ministry of Culture gained new independent legal status and a new name--The Slovakians Librarians Association. One of the first priorities the SLA implemented was to draft a new library act to replace the one from 1959 and provide a new legislative framework that the libraries would perform. Part of the reforms, one that was politically sensitive, was that the Slovakian National Library should be a separate entity from the Matica Slovenska. Eventually on May 12, 2000 the first autonomous library act was passed by the National Council of the Slovak Republic and became effective on July 1,2000. The act provided for transparency, between libraries and funding authorities as well as the rights and obligations of libraries and funding authorities.
 * The Slovak National Library (SNK) in Martin is the National Library of the Slovak Republic. Historically it was a part of the oldest institution called the Matica Slovenska. It is among the first libraries to automate library information processes before the onset of intensive digitization. The libraries efforts to automate its bibliographic and library processes fall into three time periods: 1972-1985: the project started to automate the National Library's bibliography. 1985-1992: the project to create the Integrated Library Information System (IKIS). 1993-1997: the project to create the Czech and Slovak Library Information Network (CASLIN).