Digitalization of Montenegro historical heritage through maritime central electronic library catalogue

In the paper the ideas of Montenegro Maritime Central Electronic Library Catalogue (MCELC) conception, realization and implementation have been considered in some details. MCELC is conceived as a special virtual library that is contemporary database of library and archival material, which content relates to marine affairs in general, especially to the history of marine affairs of Boka Kotorska Bay and Montenegro littoral zone. Several thousands year old archeological and documentary materials, from 6/sup th/ and 5/sup th/ centuries B.C. and earlier, related to maritime-mercantile tradition of the east Adriatic coast towns are to be included in a way within MCELC. Data related to Fraternity of Seamen from the beginning of 9/sup th/ century; Shipyards from 14/sup th/ century; Statute of Fraternity of Seamen from 15/sup th/ century; the first organized type of maritime education from 17/sup th/ century, etc. - are some of the numerous historical treasures that will be enveloped by the virtual catalogue. It is to be pointed out that the materials located in all types of libraries, archives and collections of Montenegro (state, church and private ones) will be professionally catalogued within MCELC. The adequate acquisition and presentation of this heritage, would be of particular importance in raising the quality level of total education process at Kotor Maritime Faculty, Marine High School in Kotor, Centers for training seamen in Kotor, Bijela and Bar, as well as, harbor master offices in Kotor and Bar where seamen acquire appropriate certificates. Besides, with the help of MCELC it will be possible to carry out analysis of great quality from the area of the history of marine affairs in the region and wider for both domestic and international researchers and scientists. Obviously, MCELC realization is comprehensive and very complex undertaking, which requires the commitment of experts from variety of fields. In aim to resolve this undoubtedly complex problem, even partially, the MCELC model at logical level, created in Microsoft Access relation database platform has been proposed in the paper, as well.