On 27 and 28 March, experts from leading French institutions gathered for two days of stimulating discussions focused on religious collections. The incubator of ideas yielded many insights that RESILIENCE can use to move forward.
Eleven GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) sector were represented alongside EPHE and KU Leuven: the Bibliothèque de l’Institut de France, Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BnF), the Bibliothèque interuniversitaire de la Sorbonne, the Humathèque, the Institut de recherche et d’histoire des textes (IRHT), the Bibliothèque nationale universitaire de Strasbourg (bnu), the Médiathèque de la Maison méditerranéenne des sciences humaines et sociales d’Aix -Marseille Université (MMSH), the Bibliothèque universitaire des Fenouillères, AmU, the Ecole française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), the Bibliothèque universitaire des langues et civilisations (BULAC), and the Bibliothèque du Musée Guimet.
These two days offered a valuable opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and strengthen networks – complementing existing initiatives such as Collex‑Persée and ReligiS. Participants also had the chance to explore several collections of excellence held by these institutions.
During an incubator of ideas, essential questions surrounding the visibility and accessibility of religious collections were explored. Discussions addressed how RESILIENCE can better support the GLAM sector – particularly smaller institutions – and considered what a potential French national node might look like. Ways to enhance interoperability at the European level were also reflected.
The insights gathered from this rich exchange will guide RESILIENCE’s next phase of work.
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We warmly thank all contributors for their enthusiasm and commitment! Their input has given us valuable perspectives to help move this initiative forward.