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

I. The History and Tasks of the Library of the Academy of Sciences

The stock, which grew together with the Academy and the Teleki Library, serving as hasis for the Library of the Academy, were found joint accommodation in 1836. The house, the former home of the Academy and its Library, still stands intact at the busiest spot of the centre of the city, at 3, Petőfi Sándor Street, bearing the name of the best known Hungarian poet. The collection then consisting of about 50 000 volumes, was housed on the second floor in the eight premises of the wing facing the courtyard (Fig. 4) The donation of the Teleki family was now kept here, but administered separately. The Library of the Academy was opened in 1844. On this occasion Mihály Vörösmarty, the Hungarian prince of poets of t hat time wrote an ode under the title ,,Thoughts in the library" (Fig.

6). ,,Has the world made progress through books?" — he asks. Notwithstanding the many depressing examples of the past, he feels that we have to struggle by means of books for the rule of truth and love, for the protection of the poorest. Vörösmarty as one of the leaders of the Academy was given inspiration to the poem in this Library, because for lack of separate reading rooms and working places research workers and librarians worked on tables among the shelves in those days. The first printed directions for library administration and rules of procedure, compiled in a well-considered and expert manner by Ferenc Toldy, were prepared in 1848, the year of the revolution, that was so full of promise for the nation (Fig. 7—8). In 1849, after the suppression of the struggle for freedom, the Academy's activity, too, was paralysed by absolutism. In 1851 Ferenc Toldy, acting as both General Secretary and Librarian of the Academy, yielded the direction of the Library to Pál Hunfalvy, one of the founders of Finno-Ugrian comparative linguistics. In the 1860's more favourable days dawned for the Academy and its Library. National contributions made it possible to begin building the palace of the Academy. A worthy place was found for it in one of the most beautiful spots of Budapest, near to the other establishments due to István Széchenyi, in the neighbourhood of the Tunnel under Castle Hill and of the Chain Bridge linking Buda with Pest. Friedrich Stiller, an architect of Berlin designed the palace in the spirit of the flourishing Italian Renaissance. The building was 9