AZ ORSZÁGOS SZÉCHÉNYI KÖNYVTÁR ÉVKÖNYVE 1961-1962. Budapest (1963)

IV. Könyvtár- és művelődéstörténeti tanulmányok - Kostyál István: Festetics László kísérletei közkönyvtárak alapítására - L. Festetics's endeavours to found public libraries

25. Festetics lt. Memorabilia, 610. 26. Lásd bővebben: Jakab Géza—Németh László: Országos Nemzeti Könyvtár-építő mozgalom a reformkor elején Zalában. = Magyar Könyvszemle, 1958: 267—271. p. 27. Festetics It. Memorabilia, 611. 28. Festetics It. Direct. Repertórium 1826:1242. ,,N. Somogy, Zala Vass és Soprony V[á]r[me]gyék[nek] Könyvtár állításra ajánlott Summák fizettessenek meg", L. Festetics's endeavour to found public libraries I. KOSTYÁL Count László Festetics (1785—1846) was the son of Count György Festetics (1755—1819),. one of the most progressive-minded Hungarian magnates of his time, the founder of th© Georgikon (the first agricultural college in Europe), the organizer and host of the Helikon festival (a literary festival aiming at promoting Hungarian literature), and a very wealthy Maecenas. He endeavoured to promote the country's progress by contributing to the improvement of national culture. He employed two men of letters as tutors to his son László, and created his impressive private library in one of the decorative halls of his castle (preserved still to-day in the^same place and setting, in custody of the National Library). It was not only, he, who gave his son a good example for cultural aspirations, but also the latter's uncle, Count Ferenc Széchényi, who by donating his library and art collection to the nation (1802) laid the foundation of the National Library and the National Museum, and his cousin, Count István Széchenyi, who by making a handsome financial offer, (1825) made possible the foundation of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. These influences on László Festetics brought about his decision in 1825—1826 to offer 2000 florins to the county of Zala and 1000 florins each to the counties of Sopron, Somogy and Vas in order to establish county libraries, "by means of which" he wrote "I wish to promote the advancement of learning in our country . . ." The county councils accepted his offer enthusiastically, but organization soon broke down in most places, except in county Somogy. Only in Kaposvár did a library actually begin its work. To be sure, his statement in his letters about the establishment and maintenance of public libraries being the task of the community was foreshadowing progress, which was really achieved only by the people's state in our days. (There are ample citations from original documents in the paper.) 290