Biblioteki w szkołach ludowych (elementarnych) Galicji

Abstract

The aim of this article is to rationalize the creation of functional libraries in folk (elementary) schools in Galicia. The earliest libraries in Galicia were established the mid-nineteenth century. At the time, libraries were not commonplace; they were established only in main schools in the large cities. It was not until after the creation of the National School Council in Galicia that the gradual and systematic process of establishing libraries in schools of all types, in towns and villages, began. This lasted until the outbreak of World War I in 1914, and consequently, many libraries were destroyed during the war. The Austrian government and the National School Council regulated the libraries’ operations and this significantly affected their functioning. Also, due to insufficient state funding, more libraries are not being established, and existing ones are unable to expand their book collections. These constraints behoved the intervention of local governments authorities, individuals and various social organizations. However, they have mainly been concerned with schools in the cities. Rural schools, on the other hand, remain under-equipped.