Domsa Károlyné, Fekete Gézáné, Kovács Mária (szerk.): Gondolatok a könyvtárban / Thoughts in the Library (A MTAK közleményei 30. Budapest, 1992)

KÖNYVTÁR ÉS HAGYOMÁNY – LIBRARY AND TRADITION

The Main Library-Science Information Centre in Prague Library, the acquisition of publications and the handling of its stores. This suggestion was accepted and Jakub Filip Kulik was mentioned as librarian from 1832. At the same time, work on the publication of "Katalog der Bibliothek der königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften in Böhmen" began, and it was edited in 1835. It is evident enough from this register, that there were natural science publications prevailing, followed by historical, mathematical and technical studies. At that period activities of FrantiSek Palacky, who became a regular member of the Society in March 1830, became influential in the work of the Library. Increased acquisitional activities and more systematic attempts in the field of book exchange occurred. The growth of stocks and the improvement of registers were reflected in substantially larger use of the Library, which led to the opening of a Reading Room in the spring of 1840. Oppression resulting from the failure of the Prague revolutionary movement in 1848 also affected the library. Stocks were damaged, catalogue cards were used for preparation of cartridges. The outstanding Czech poet Karel Jaromir Erben became a librarian in 1849. He initiated a preparation of library instruction elaborated by his successor Ignác HanuS (since 1853). Other important personalities of Czech science and culture, such as Pavel Josef Safafik and Karel Balling, also took part in the arrangements for this instruction. The most successful librarian of that period was Professor Ignác Jan HanuS. He was a regular member of the Society; being suspended due to the suspicion of Hegelianism, he was obliged to leave the University. He provided the Library with a solid organizational base. I. J. HanuS acted for the Society in two periods again (till 1865). A resolution to engage a paid person as a librarian was accepted in 1868, provided that one of the Society Praesidium members would be commissioned under the supervision of the Library. Library stocks grew to 13,000 items in the 60s, mainly due to the expansion of book-exchange. The library worked without any significant changes until the beginning of the 20th century, when its organization ceased to satisfy the needs. In 1913, when the philologist Josef Král became Chairman of the Society, a reorganization of the Library was initiated by him. The stocks were thematically classified, their new registration began and lending service was also reorganized. The work on stocks finished in 1918, the Library stored altogether 51,381 items in the period. During World War I activities of the Library were severely restricted, especially book exchange, the basic source of library growth was affected. The foundation of the independent Czechoslovak state enabled Czech science to be incorporated into an international context on a significantly more efficient level, however, sufficient financial sources of the Society were still wanting. Supplementation of stocks was practically reduced to exchange only, influenced „ Gondolatok a könyvtárban " 105