The Library of the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems (IMFE/ELGO–DIMITRA) is the oldest and only specialised library in Greece dedicated to Forestry and the Natural Environment. Established in 1944 as a laboratory, it acquired its current form in 1999, when its collection was automated. Today, it is classified as a Special Library due to the highly specialised nature of its collections and services.
The Library constitutes a key research tool not only for the scientific community but also for the general public, including municipalities, independent researchers, students, schools, nature enthusiasts, and individuals with an interest in forests and the environment. Although its physical collection is primarily of historical value, the Library has developed innovative services within the framework of Open Science.
The ‘Theophrastus’ digital repository – innovation and open access
One of the Library’s most significant innovative services is the Theophrastus Repository. Named after the ancient Greek botanist Θεόφραστος (Theophrastus), it is the first Greek repository dedicated to environmental sciences and the only one specialising in forestry.
It is a bilingual (English, Greek) digital platform that documents the entire scientific output of IMFE, from its establishment to the present day, in digital form. The majority of the online content is open access and free. The integration of material is carried out progressively.
Added value for research and knowledge preservation
The innovation of Theophrastus lies in the fact that researchers have access not only to scientific articles, but also to grey literature (e.g. technical reports, audiovisual material), which is often difficult to locate outside the boundaries of the institute.
For research institutions where scientific work is based on experiments and long-term observations, this service is particularly valuable, as scientific information is no longer confined to internal archives or unstable websites without preservation policies. As a result, the risk of data loss is eliminated, while misattribution of intellectual property rights is effectively prevented.
Environmental heritage and policy support
Beyond its scientific importance, Theophrastus safeguards Greece’s environmental heritage, documenting changes caused by anthropogenic and natural factors.
It contributes to a deeper understanding of ecosystem functioning and provides a solid knowledge base for shaping future forest policy.
Networking, cooperation, and knowledge exchange
The Library participates in the Union Catalogue of Greek Libraries of the National Documentation Centre (EKT), enabling the supply and exchange of Greek- and foreign-language articles.
It is also a member of the DYAS Network (Research Infrastructure Network for the Humanities), participating with seven collections. This network supports the exchange of knowledge, methodologies, and working practices among scientific communities.
Documentation, terminology, and specialised services
The Library operates as a Documentation Centre, staffed by specialised personnel. In addition to information retrieval and citation tracking, it offers translation and terminology services in the field of Forest Sciences.
Furthermore, it is a member of the Hellenic Network for Terminology (ELOT/EDO) and participates in the European Commission’s Rapid Terminology Response Service in the thematic area of Natural Resources, contributing to the establishment of scientific terminology at a European level.
Collections and preservation activities
The Library’s collection holds significant historical value, including books dating from 1800 onwards. Its holdings include:
- 12,009 books
- 365 scientific journal titles, of which 136 are unique among Greek libraries
- Audiovisual material and maps
Due to the age of part of the collection, the Library carries out systematic document conservation and restoration. In parallel, it has initiated digitisation projects, prioritising rare editions.
Access to the collection
Users can explore the Library’s online catalogue at: https://fria.openabekt.gr/
All listed items are classified according to the Oxford Decimal Classification System for Forestry and are available for on-site consultation only in the Library’s reading room on a daily basis.
Outreach and digital presence
The Library maintains a Facebook page under the name “Library of the Institute of Mediterranean and Forest Ecosystems”, where it posts bibliographic information on IMFE scientific publications (both recent and older). Publications are linked to the Theophrastus Repository, allowing access to full texts when they are open access. The page also disseminates information on IMFE’s current activities, including research projects, informational videos, interviews, television broadcasts, conference announcements, and more.
The Library also hosts educational visits for pupils, students, and academics.
A modern information hub
By embracing current developments in Information Science, the Library no longer functions merely as a space for borrowing material. Instead, it supports a modern data-mining model, emphasising the scientific validity and reliability of its documents within the framework of Open Access.
In this way, it is transformed into a dynamic hub connecting scientific information with scientific, academic, and wider user communities.
This article was originally written by Danai Panagiotopoulou, Librarian (MSc) at the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems (IMFE), ELGO–DIMITRA, Greece.
