# Martin Svoboda

> director of the Czech National Library of Technology

**Wikidata**: [Q63949532](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63949532)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/martin-svoboda-q63949532

## Summary
Martin Svoboda is a Czech electrical engineer, programmer, and library director, best known for his leadership of the National Library of Technology (Národní technická knihovna) in the Czech Republic. Born in 1943, he combines a technical background in software engineering with administrative leadership in information sciences. He has also held professional positions at the National Library of Poland.

## Biography
- **Born:** May 5, 1943
- **Known for:** Serving as the Director of the Czech National Library of Technology; career bridging software engineering and library administration.
- **Employer(s):**
    - National Library of Technology (Director)
    - National Library of Poland (September 1988 – June 1997)
- **Field(s):** Electrical Engineering, Software Development, Library Science
- **Occupation:** Programmer, Electrical Engineer, Library Director

## Contributions
Martin Svoboda’s career represents a convergence of technical engineering disciplines and library science management. As a professional identified as both a programmer and an electrical engineer, he has applied technical expertise to the management of information systems.

His most significant role is serving as the director of the National Library of Technology (NTK) in the Czech Republic. In this capacity, he has been responsible for overseeing the operations of a major institution dedicated to the preservation and provision of technical and scientific literature. His leadership ensures the accessibility of resources essential for research and innovation within the Czech Republic.

Prior to his tenure at the National Library of Technology, Svoboda contributed to the library sector internationally through his employment at the National Library of Poland. His work there spanned nearly a decade (1988–1997), indicating a long-standing involvement in the operational management of national heritage institutions. His professional profile is supported by recognition in major authority controls, including the Library of Congress and VIAF.

## FAQs

### Q: What is Martin Svoboda's primary professional role?
A: Martin Svoboda is best known as the director of the Czech National Library of Technology, a position that highlights his leadership in the field of library and information science.

### Q: What is Martin Svoboda's educational or professional background?
A: He is recognized as an electrical engineer and a programmer (software developer), applying these technical skills within the context of library management.

### Q: Where has Martin Svoboda worked besides the National Library of Technology?
A: According to employment records, he worked at the National Library of Poland from September 1988 to June 1997.

### Q: When was Martin Svoboda born?
A: Martin Svoboda was born on May 5, 1943.

## Why They Matter
Martin Svoboda matters for his role in bridging the gap between hard technical disciplines and the humanities-focused field of library science. Leading a National Library requires not only administrative acumen but, in Svoboda's case, a deep understanding of the technical subjects being archived—aided by his background in electrical engineering and programming. His directorship of the National Library of Technology places him at the helm of a crucial node in the Czech Republic's research infrastructure, influencing how technical information is curated and accessed by scholars and the public. Furthermore, his previous long-term engagement at the National Library of Poland demonstrates a sustained commitment to European cultural and scientific heritage.

## Notable For
- **Directorship:** Serving as the Director of the National Library of Technology (NTK) in the Czech Republic.
- **Technical Expertise:** Holding professional qualifications and experience as an electrical engineer and programmer.
- **International Experience:** Nearly a decade of service at the National Library of Poland (1988–1997).
- **Authority Recognition:** Indexed in major international databases including the Library of Congress (n2006023215), GND (1202527175), and VIAF (67562452).

## Body

### Early Life and Background
Martin Svoboda was born on May 5, 1943. His career trajectory is distinguished by a dual expertise in technology and information management.

### Professional Career
Svoboda has held significant positions in major European libraries. His career timeline includes:
*   **National Library of Poland:** Employed from September 1988 to June 1997.
*   **National Library of Technology:** Serving as Director (referenced in Wikidata descriptions and images from 2016).

### Technical Occupations
Unlike many traditional library directors, Svoboda holds specific occupational classifications in the technical sector:
*   **Programmer:** Identified as a person who writes computer software (a subclass of software developer).
*   **Electrical Engineer:** Identified as a practitioner of electrical engineering.

### Identifiers and Records
Svoboda is indexed in numerous global authority files, reflecting his standing in the academic and library communities:
*   **ISNI:** 0000000055450747
*   **VIAF ID:** 67562452
*   **GND ID:** 1202527175
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n2006023215
*   **National Library of Israel J9U ID:** 987007458943205171
*   **Czech Librarians Database ID:** Q669

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/88914)
3. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0002-8255-348X/employment/3902916)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20230206-links.txt.gz)
6. The Fine Art Archive
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
8. Dictionary of Czech librarians