Local History Research Databases in Latvian Public Libraries

Abstract

The paper analyzes the collections and databases of the online local history research created by Latvian public libraries, as well as describes the content of the databases as well as available sources of information and its formats. The research base is websites of the main libraries of Latvia's regions and the digital local history research available online. The result of the research led to the conclusion that Latvian public libraries offer a wide range of online local history research resources and databases: local countyman databases and encyclopedia, libraries history materials, information about county, oral history collections: personal records and memory stories. The interviews can be evidenced in audio format. The full texts of the interviews have also been published. Several Latvian public libraries also offer a video format. It is concluded that the local history databases of Latvian public libraries store and provide unique information about the time, place, historical events and people in the region. The sources of oral history included in the local history databases in the collections of Latvian public libraries are an important part of the historical heritage.