Poland

Directory Information

 Formal Name:            Biblioteka Narodowa, (National Library)
 Name of Librarian:     Joanna Pasztaleniec-Jarzynska
 Address:                    Al Niepodleglosci 213, POB 36, 00-973 Warszawa 22
 Phone:    (022) 6082999;     Fax:    255251
 E-mail:    biblnar.bn.org.pl

History & Collections

The idea of a Polish national library was espoused in the 18th century by the brothers Zaiuski, who used their personal collections as the basis for a public library bringing together the whole body of Polish writing. Opened in Warsaw in 1747, it was presented as a gift to the nation. With holdings of approximately 400,000 volumes, it was one of the largest collections in Europe. After the loss of independence. its collections were confiscated and transported to St. Petersburg.

After the restoration of Polish independence, a new Biblioteka Narodowa (National Library) was created in Warsaw in 1928. Its resources included part of the repatriated holdings of the Zaiuski Library as well as other historic collections. During World War II the National Library was bombed and its colcctions were put to the torch by Nazi troops. Among the irreplaceable losses were the treasures of the Rapperswil and Batignolles collections, and indeed almost all of the library's special collections. amounting to some 20,000 manuscripts, 2,200 incunabula, 80,000 early books, and 100.000 pieces of graphic art.

The National Library employs a staff of 950. Its collections,  totalling more than 4,500,000 volumes and other items in 1991, were transferred to a new building with a capacity of 62.000 sq.m. Its resources include more than 1,627,000 books  published since 1800, more than 522,000 serial volumes from the same period, and more than 1,406,000, documents from the 19th and 20th centuries: almost 13.400 manuscripts and more than 170,300 books published before 1800; more than 93,000 pieces of music, 23,000 recordings, 321,400 prints and drawings, 65,200 maps,  and 143,800 microfilms.

Sources:

World guide to libraries. New York: Saur, 1998.
World encyclopedia of library and information services. 3rd ed. Chicago: American Library Association,c1993.