Summary
Nowadays, due to the type of materials they collect, museums, libraries and archives are considered to be very dissimilar institutions. Throughout history the differences between them were not so visible. They were created as a result of convention and tradition rather than the essential dissimilarities. Lately, it is becoming increasingly obvious that the differences are only apparent and that these institutions share a common mission of supporting education and serving the community. The rapid development of information technology and communication networks has given a boost to the reversible process of connecting museums, libraries and archives. Shared information models, digital presentations and archives are the most common forms of cooperation among heritage institutions. Examples of their connection on global level are numerous and range from the implementation of individual programs and projects to the full integration. In Serbia the heritage institutions are on the margins of global trends. They need a more stimulating legislative and institutional framework. Establishing an association of professionals who work in this fi eld could contribute to the articulation of common needs and encourage their cooperation.

Keywords:
museums, libraries, archives, heritage institutions, cooperation, protection of cultural heritage, networking, digitization, Pančevo, Pančevačko čitalište, Association of Information Professionals - Librarians, Archivists and Museologists (BAM), National Center for Digitization, European Guidelines for Cooperation of Libraries, Archives and Museums, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), IFLA

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