C. Csapodi, E. Moravek et al.(szerk.): The Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1826–1961.

Preface

n this volume the reader is given a description of the oldest institution of the Hungarian Acadcmy of Sciences, the Library of the Academy, an outline of its history, collections, use and services. In addition to the text itself, a number of illustrations demonstrate its past and present, and serve to render a better conception of the immense intellectual treasure that its stock represents. Only one year separates its foundation — in 1826 — from that of the Academy itself. During its 135 years of existence the Library has in fact become a repository of the best works produced by the Hungarian creative spirit and by international learning. Beside the uniques, codices, valuable manuscripts, incunabula, the documents of the living past and present of Hungarian science and literature, it contains the basic works of scientific literature monographs, handbooks, reference works, and also the most important means of information for up-to-date research work, periodicals. At present no less than 4000 kinds of periodicals are received covering almost every branch of knowledge, written in practically every civilised languages. In developing the full stock of some 870 000 library units, a prominent part — both quantitative and qualitative — has been and is being played by the traditional international exchange of publications. This practice is nearly as old as the Library itself, — it was begun in 1833. It was the founder of the Academy himself, István Széchenyi, who handed over the first exchange copies to foreign learned societirs. At the turn of the century the Library was maintaining exchange relations with some 200 institutions, and before World 5