INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE COLLECTIONS IN ODESA NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY AS A SOURCE BASE OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH

Abstract

Nowadays, when there are significant changes in society regarding libraries and books, both printed and digital, a new social phenomenon needs to be studied and rethought - book culture and its integral part - private book collections. Personal book collections as a social and cultural phenomenon are primarily a historical source. They are of great interest as not only a reflection of the professional and research interests of its owner, but also as a reminiscence, that reflects the history of book culture. As a rule, personal book collections of famous public figures, scientists, cultural figures become part of large public libraries, the main task of which, in addition to preserving the cultural heritage of the nation for future generations, is to study and put into scientific circulation these collections. From the first days of its existence until today, one of the sources of replenishment of Odesa National Scientific Library are gifts. Among the donors of the library were Novorossiysk and Bessarabia Governor-General M.S. Vorontsov, famous historian and archaeologist I.O. Stempkovsky, honorary member of Odesa Society of History and Antiquities P.Y. Burachkov, patron and trustee of the library M.M. Tolstoy, Ukrainian bibliographer and public figure M. F. Komarov, famous microbiologist and bacteriologist J. Yu. Bardakh. Modern library enthusiasts continue the glorious tradition of donating one’s own libraries, which began in the 19th century. In 1996, the family of a mathematician, a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences M.G. Krein, transferred the private book collection of the scientist to the library. During 1995-2016, the French artist, public figure and honorary citizen of Odesa, winner of 159 the Gallery of Honorary Philanthropists of Odesa "People of Generous Hearts" S. Savary-Polidori donated books, art albums, periodicals and more. In 2016, the library received a book collection of mathematician and a well-known specialist in the field of graph theory O.O. Zykov and many others. Book collection started by the famous French artist, public figure and philanthropist Suzanne Savary-Polidori is exceptionally rare. The collection includes 4,667 copies of books, art albums, audio-visual documents, periodicals and electronic publications in French, English, German and other languages. Searching for rare editions in bookstores in France, Belgium, Switzerland and other countries, S. Savary-Polidori carefully collected and publications on history, economics, literary theory, psychology, medicine, art, etc.to Odesa library. In 2016, an important acquisition of Odesa National Scientific Library became the book collection of the worldfamous Ukrainian scientist-mathematician, professor, doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, one of the creators of the theory of graphs Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Zykov. It was handed over by his wife Taisiya Zykova. The collection consists of books, periodicals, maps and private archives of the scientist and has 1,772 documents that reflect his professional and scientific interests. Of particular value is his personal archive, which has 108 units of storage and consists of his own documents, correspondence with scientists, manuscripts of his research and more. Thanks to the libraries of Suzanne Savary-Polidori and Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Zykov, the collection of Odesa National Scientific Library was replenished with valuable book editions from various fields of knowledge. In addition, private libraries are cultural monuments that, in addition to the owner's personality and professional interests, reflect the history of book culture at the turn of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. An important activity of Odesa National Scientific Library is the accumulation, preservation, study, implementation in scientific circulation and promotion of these unique collections, which are part of national book collections of Ukraine.