Considering bibliographic heritage as indispensable for the knowledge of our culture and history, we show the results of the research project "Situation of the heritage library collections of three public libraries of Antioquia, Colombia". This research aimed to establish the role of public libraries in relation to local collections and bibliographic heritage. Aspects discussed include the design of criteria for the assessment and recovery of these collections and the suggestion of a diagnostic process to be followed. Our inventory produced two outcomes: 1) the creation of a digital reference repository that helps to systematize and disseminate the heritage collections existing in public libraries; and 2) evidence of how these collections lack needed policies for recovery, identification, processing, preservation and dissemination, which results in difficulties in terms of their valuation as heritage collections.