Fototeka of the National Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia in the Light of the Museum’s Development: From Its Beginnings to the Present Day

Abstract

The article presents the development of the museum’s photo library, also known as Fototeka. Today, the Fototeka holds approximately four million images on various media, which makes it the largest national collection of photographs. The introductory section first presents the role of photography as a historical source and its significance in everyday life. To provide a broader understanding of the context, the introduction then also outlines the development of the museum itself, as its mission, collecting policies, and organizational structure have changed significantly over time and have had a considerable impact on the acquisition of photographic material. The central part of the article offers a concise overview of the development of the Fototeka, focusing on the storage spaces and the professional management of photographic collections and fonds. Various methods of disseminating photographic material are also presented, including photography exhibitions as well as different types of publications. Special attention is paid to collaboration with the photographers whose works are preserved in the museum.