Evaluation of the Digitization Eff orts of Cultural Memory Institutions in Turkey within the Framework of Intellectual Freedom

Abstract

Intellectual freedom which directly aff ects the development of societies requires the usage of intellectual works freely and openly in the lights of technological developments. Thanks to the cultural memory institutions digitization eff orts provide many advantages for intellectual works such as transmission of cultural heritage to use of next generations via integration with information technologies and long term preservation of cultural works. In this respect, 11 cultural memory institutions in Turkey were evaluated via a web based check-list that were created by means of related literature and intellectual freedom components model. Research results reveal that digitization eff orts generally carried out with the aim of preservation. Results also refl ect that there are some restrictions for accessing to digitized materials. Furthermore, there is no standardized approach in terms of copy rights and identification of resources. In final section, the study focuses on the requirements about developing roadmaps and policies about increasing awareness and perceptions of managers as a recommendation. It is also recommended in the study that the services about digitized materials should be revised within the scope of intellectual freedom and copy right legislations and intellectual works should be identified by using standardized identification tools that provide interoperability of diff erent information systems.