Albania, Kosovo to have joint Albanology portal

TIRANA, March 7 – The Albanian and Kosovo national libraries have agreed to have a joint portal of Albanological studies. The deal was signed this week in Tirana by the director of the Albanian National Library, Aurel Plasari, and his Kosovo counterpart Sali Bashota. Under the deal, both libraries will exchange bibliographical information on Albanological studies and other computerized material such as manuscripts, maps, photos, periodicals etc. Both libraries will also cooperate to keep up with technological developments in order to offer fast information to their subscribers.
The project will be officially launched in Prishtina on April 12 when Kosovo hosts the Library Week.
“This agreement aims at summarizing and making available to all kinds of readers, the portal of Albanalogical book, targeting not only the institutions of Albania and Kosovo but also the Arberesh (the ethnic Albanian community in southern Italy) and the Diaspora as an opportunity to offer quick and efficient information,” said Sali Bashoto of the Kosovo National and University Library.
Last January, the National Library in Tirana closed its celebrations on its 90th anniversary of foundation with the promotion of two special publications tracing the history of Albanian books from the early 16th century authors to the end of World War II. In a ceremony held in the library premises, organizers promoted two separate publications, the “Book in Albanian (1555-1912) in the collection of the National Library,” and “Bibliography of Books in Albanian in the collection of the National Library (1913-1944).”