The National Library of Belarus, along with the department of history of Belarusian State University, the Vitebsk Regional Library, the Vitebsk Regional Museum of Local Lore and the National Historical Archive of Belarus, has prepared two multimedia editions.
The publications: Regional History of Belarus in Documents and Materials of the Vilna Archeographic Commission (1864–1915) / Региональная история Беларуси в документах и материалах Виленской археографической комиссии (1864–1915) and Activities of the Vitebsk Scientific Archival Commission (1909–1919): Documents and Materials. / Деятельность Витебской ученой архивной комиссии (1909‒1919): документы и материалы are the result of a national research project on virtual reconstruction of documents and material on the local history of Belarus for 2015–2018. The project’s results are being summed up in the Year of Native Land in Belarus.
The electronic editions are designed for scholars and teachers (historians, archeologists, lawyers, university students and teachers, postgraduates and undergraduates) as an information and resource basis for their research and educational activities, and also for employees of libraries, museums and archives, local historians and all who are interested in national history.
The first edition contains bibliography, factual and reference material, biographies, scientific papers, digital copies of publications of the Vitebsk Archeographic Commission (the Vilna Commission for the Examination of Ancient Acts), and also publications about the commission. Most papers, published by the commission, are still important historical sources for contemporary researchers, reflecting a regional aspect of the history of Belarus. The CD contains a detailed list of toponyms (names of settlements and other objects), mentioned in the books of the Vilna Archeographic Commission. They are aligned with modern names of the administrative units and geographic objects of the Republic of Belarus.
CD Activities of the Vitebsk Scientific Archival Commission (1909–1919): Documents and Materials also includes varied and interesting material: bibliography, historical and analytical information, biographies, local history, full texts and illustrations. They represent the activity of the research institution, which was of great importance for the development of national archival science, museology, bibliology, source study, archaeography and librarianship, and the publications had become an “encyclopedia of regional history”. The activity of the Vitebsk Scientific Archival Commission is shown both through the publications of the epoch and works of contemporary researchers. Digital copies of editions from the collections of the National Library of Belarus, copies of archival documents and photos of museum exhibits are presented. The edition also features an extensive bibliography that includes data about more than 300 persons related to the institution’s activity.
The electronic publications about local history are available in the kiosk of the library, located on the ground floor next to the central entrance, or by subscription.
