Digital access to cultural heritage material: case of the Moroccan manuscripts

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the readiness of academic researchers in history in Moroccan universities to change their habits and ways of accessing old manuscript collections from direct access to on/offline access to digitized versions of the same documents.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with a sample population of about 30 researchers, both students and teachers. This survey used a questionnaire distributed directly.

Findings

This user study came to the conclusion that though people appreciate the possible existence of a digital library for manuscripts (on‐ or offline), they have some hesitation to use it solely because they are afraid of losing a precious and fruitful human interaction with the private holders of manuscript collections.

Research limitations/implications

The study is considered as a basis for future studies that could enhance the concepts and the methods. The limitations in this research are mainly due to the local scope of the survey.

Originality/value

The survey is unique in the sense that it is the first one. The manuscripts have been studied previously at several levels except a user needs perspective.

Citation

Boujdad M'kadem, A. and Nieuwenhuysen, P. (2010), "Digital access to cultural heritage material: case of the Moroccan manuscripts", Collection Building, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 137-141. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604951011088862