Cost evaluation of digital images : The Spanish experience : Management of science and technology journals in a time of change

One of the main objectives of the Biblioteca Nacional (Spanish National Library) is to make its collections available in digital format. This to achieve the B. N. has initiated a most ambitious project called Memoria Hispanica. The first phase - taking place between 1996 and 1998 - will involve the digitization of about 50.000 documents of all kinds: books, manuscripts, graphic material etc. In this field the B. N. can already look back to a whole host of experience of which most important is its experience gained in conjunction with the Heraldic data base. This can serve as an excellent example for carrying out a cost and efficiency evaluation of the digital image services rendered to the library users. The article analyses the effect costs and prices for digital services have had on their use in order to draw valuable conclusions for further on-going projects.