Library: its basic role in the protection and valorization of Written documentary heritage

Résumé

Abstract: The library is the institution known to have as its basic mission the creation, processing, preservation of the written documentary heritage. Libraries express the metaphorical memory of humanity. Over time, libraries have been involved in preserving the cultural heritage of humanity. In ancient, medieval, Renaissance and modern times, the patrimonial mission was their core mission and their prestige in the community was given by the richness and importance of collections. In the contemporary period, the user has access to information and the patrimonial role is expressed through the management of special collections and the preservation for future generations of rare and valuable documents of cultural and scientific importance. The work exemplifies the patrimonial function of the libraries through the case of the National Library of Romania.