An international delegation of library professionals visited the National Library

On 29th July 2025 a delegation from the International Library and Information Science Society (I-LISS) paid an official visit to the MNMKK National Széchényi Library to explore potential avenues for future collaboration and to discuss possible directions for the European expansion of I-LISS.

The guests were received at the Buda Castle location of the library by Judit Gerencsér, Deputy General Director of MNMKK OSZK, and Dr. Rita Radó, Head of the Research Coordination Department at MNMKK OSZK.

The delegation included Professor Dr. Dong-Geun Oh, Professor at the Department of Library and Information Science at Keimyung University in South Korea, Director of the School of Library and Information Services, President of I-LISS, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice; as well as Dr. Reysa C. Alenzuela, Senior Research Librarian at the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague and Editorial Advisory Board Member of the international journal.

In the first part of the visit, the guests participated in an English-language guided tour of the building, during which they received a comprehensive overview of the history of the national library, its collection units, and ongoing professional activities. As part of the program, they visited the digitalisation centre, where they gained insight into the digitalisation processes of the library. The visitors were also briefed on the research, preservation, and service-related procedures connected to the collections, and they had the opportunity to view the Apponyi Room.

During the second part of the meeting, a closed professional discussion took place. In her English-language presentation, Judit Gerencsér gave a detailed overview of the diverse activities of the national library, its ongoing development projects, and strategic objectives. She emphasized the importance of international relations, the role of innovative solutions, and the potential for expanding international and national academic collaborations.

The meeting was held in a friendly, open, and constructive atmosphere. Both parties expressed their intent to deepen their relationship through concrete professional collaboration projects in the future. The guests expressed their gratitude for the warm and meaningful reception, highlighting that the professional dialogue initiated during the visit could lay the foundation for a fruitful partnership between the national library and I-LISS.