About the conference

The 17th Conference of the LIBER Groupe des Cartothécaires will be held in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. One conference day will be spent in the university town of Tartu. The general theme of the conference is “A Map Library as the Centre of Cartographic Information”.

Estonian map collections vary greatly in terms of contents and development. Gaps and damages caused by complicated political times or scanty resources are being overcome by mutual cooperation between libraries and archives. Our everyday work reflects the major developments of the past 20 years regarding the production and use of maps as well as making them accessible. A local map publisher Regio is doing business worldwide and uses the most recent information technology solutions. The Estonian Land Board provides free internet-based map services for the wide public. The Estonian National and Historical Archives are in the process of digitizing 20 000 historical maps.

The year 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the LIBER Groupe des Cartothécaires. Today it connects map specialists from libraries, archives, universities, research centres and other institutions. Map specialists, often feeling lonely in their work, have found the conference to be a good opportunity to meet colleagues, exchange experience, share new ideas and find good friends.

It is a great honour for us to share with you our history and our plans for the future. We hope to offer you many exciting encounters, surprise you with the picturesque old town of Tallinn and the academic, yet liberal town of Tartu. You will be able to experience the short nights of June and the untouched Estonian nature.

A very warm welcome to you all!
Organisers: National Library of Estonia and the University of Tartu Library