On the history of Library of Lviv academy of veterinary medicine: Austrian and Polish periods (1881–1944)

Abstract

The article describes history of creation and development of the Library of Lviv Academy of Veterinary Medicine for the period 1881–1944. The material presented is based on the works of famous professors, Academy tutors, Rector’s reports and documents of Polish authors concerning history of Lviv Veterinary Academy, veterinary science and education. The paper includes abbreviated biographies of Professor Anthony Baransky, the organizer and first curator of the Library, Professor Stanislav Krulikovsky, who 35 years guided the Library, Professors and Library curators Stanislav Niemchytsky, Adolf Gizelt, Andrzej Klisetsky, Doctor of Philosophy Ludwik Grajewski, as well as the librarians Theobald Skarzynsky, Lukash Kulchytsky, Leonidas Novitsky and Anastasia Shakhovska. Each of them made a considerable personal contribution to the development and operating of the Library. The influence of historical events on the linguistic structure of the fund and its replenishment is depicted and analyzed. The paper carefully analyzes the Library funding, which in different historical periods had its fluctuations, which influenced the acquisition of textbooks and periodicals subscription. The lack of funding in certain years substantially affected the completeness and even the abandonment of some important periodicals. During the years of economic instability, the Library was mainly funded from the sources received for library services from library readers. The article contains interesting personal information concerning the Library staff, as well as the Library exlibris. The complicacy of recollection of the historical background of Library’s formation and early years of its running is due to the limited number of documents covering period before the year 1944, especially concerning «white spots» of the period 1939–1944. The material presented is based predominantly on Polish sources, as well as on the original documents preserved in the librarian archives. Among the chief priorities of the Scientific Library of Lviv University of Veterinary Medicine is the maintenance of historical continuity, preservation of its rich and unique past, which is inextricably linked with the present. By this article its authors give tribute to the creators, curators and custodians of the Library.