AZ ORSZÁGOS SZÉCHÉNYI KÖNYVTÁR ÉVKÖNYVE 1984-1985. Budapest (1992)

I. Az OSZK 1984-1985-ben - Somkuti Gabriella: Az Országos Széchényi Könyvtár működése 1984-1985-ben - The Activity of the National Széchényi Library in the Years 1984-1985

THE ACTIVITY OF THE NATIONAL SZÉCHÉNYI LIBRARY IN THE YEARS 1984-1985 Moving to the new premises of the Library The reconstruction of the southern wing of the former Royal Palace of the Buda Castle for the purposes of the National Library was completed in 1984. The destroyed medieval castle was replaced by the renaissance palace of king Matthias Corvinus in the 15th century, also destroyed in the followingcenluries. On its place a Baroque palace was erected in the 18th century which became considerably enlarged in the next century in neobaroquc style. This latter one was nearly totally destroyed during World War II. Alter the war the royal palace has been rebuilt as a cultural centre, no more as a governmental residence. The Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and the Museum of Labour Movement had already been transferred here earlier. The southern wing was the last to be reconstructed and it became the home of the National Széchényi Library. The moving to the new building ment the beginning of a new era in the life of the Library. The holdings of the special collections that had been kept in different places because of lack of storage could at last be united. The small reading rooms were replaced by a large reading area with a reference library of ca. 70,000 volumes with free access, with specialized reading rooms and nearly 600 seats for the readers. (In the old library, there were 180 readers' seals.) Precious materials - marble and bronze - had amply been applied in Ihe interior architecture supplying a representative frame to the treasures of the National Library. The building is suitable for the organization of exhibitions, lectures, cultural programs. A new era began in the life of the Library, among o.thcrs, owing to the fact that up till now the Library had to share its headquarters with the National Museum in the house built in 1846, although this house proved small lor the two institutions as early as at the turn of the century. In 1984-85 the Library's activity was fundamentally determined by the preparations of the moving into the new premises. The staff of the Library was increased by more than 100 new employees of the readers' service and, first of all, of the technical, cleaning and security staff. Some 6 million library units had to be transported together with Ihe furniture, machines and other equipments. The transportation began on October 3, 1984 and was accomplished by March 20, 1985. The formal opening of the Library look place on April 2, 1985. The opening festivities were attended by the directors of 11 European national libraries and 2 university libraries. On this occasion the bronze bust of count Ferenc Széchényi (1754-1820), founder of the Library, was unveiled. Vice Prime Minister Judit Cschak pointed out in her opening speech that the National Library opens its new doors in the same palace of Buda Castle where the famous library of king Matthias Corvinus, the Bibliothcca Corviniana, had been kept in the late fifteenth century. Some remarkable data of (he building: Its gross capacity is 249 thousand m

3

. The total basic area is 44,300 m , of which 6,350 m

2 are technical areas, 4,900 m

2 arc running areas (staircases, corridors), 33,050 m

2 are functional areas. 43,9% of this latter arc stacks,'

26,9% is public service, 18,6% offices, 7,3% workshops, 3,3% conveniences etc. The furniture (including bookshelves) was made in Swedish-Hungarian cooperation on the Swedish Almedia licence. The books arc transported by the West German Tclclift equipment comprising 100 rolling carriages that can be programmed to the required place in the whole building. A guide of ihe Library was published in five languages together with other broshures, colour slides and posl cards. The opening exhibition "Collectors and patrons" has commemorated those prominent persons who made considerable contributions to the holdings of the National Library. The Library opened its doors for ihe reading public on April 9, 1985. Changes in staff and organization Director General Dr. Ferenc Molnár has retired on December 15, 1984. Practically, he did not lake part in the management of the Library since February 23. From this time on, Deputy Director-General Dr. Zoltán Havasi has been put in charge of ihe direction. The relations of the Library with the public increased, so a new department had to be sei up, Ihe Department of International Relations.and Public Culture. Besides the international personal relations (travels, etc.), this Department is charged with maintaining public relations, i.e. organization of exhibitions, programs, reception of visiting groups, generally speaking, propaganda of the cultural values of ihe Library for the widest possible publicity. A Security Department, loo, was established. 95