They do not have a unique name, their activity is marked with the names of individual institutions, the terminology used in their mutual contacts is not unambiguous and precise, yet libraries, museums and archives are increasingly calling for a unique social mission and shared values. Theoreticians remind us that they had a common origin, that the modern era has shown parochialism and lack of understanding by separating them organizationally and institutionally, and that in the last quarter of a century, thanks to the rapid development of information technology and abundance of communication networks, the conditions have been created for their reconnection. Cultural, educational, information and recreational needs of citizens are what really brings them together in the time that aspires to open access to sources of knowledge, information literacy, lifelong learning and cultural diversity.

We are far from establishing a unique new discipline as much as (un)developed are its theoretical corpus and skills it is using, formal education, legal foundation, standards for measuring efficiency, focusing on providing services... We do not even know what would be the name of the new discipline. And yet, in practice, shared social responsibility for preserving personal and collective identity, for development of moral and aesthetic values, cultivation of free and critical thought, acquisition of wisdom and improvement of community, has led to a close collaboration of librarians, archivists and museum professionals. It seems that librarians were the first to become aware of the collective social responsibility and the opportunities provided by joint public appearance in the domain of culture, hence they set off toward associating and took a leading role in the process, in the world and in Serbia.

Čitalište, which has pointed to the global trends and importance of joining libraries, museums and archives since its first issue, in 2002, dedicates the column Theme of the No 22 to the co-operation of these institutions. Editor of the Theme, PhD Vladimir Krivošejev, gathered experts from the region to elaborate the concept of public memory and its social role, communication capabilities of heritage institutions and possibilities of their joint appearance on the web, formal education for managers of heritage institutions, as well as advantages and disadvantages of this cooperation at the local level.

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