Funding of the University Library’s projects

The first one involves the selection and computer processing of 160 unique titles of continuous publications from the Silesian-Lusatian collection, such as Katolik: a periodical devoted to science, industry, amusement and political news (Mikolow 1868-1931), Niderslezje (Wrocław 1948-1950), Ober-Lausitzer Anzeiger (Rothenburg 1842-1851) or Ober-Lausitzer Beobachter (Seidenberg 1850-1852). The special value of the collection is evidenced primarily by its historical provenance. The basic scope of specialization of the Silesian-Lusatian collection was delineated just after the war during the organization of the University Library’s post-war collection. The accumulation of the collection’s book collection was to cover the recovered territories – all of Silesia. Silesian-language collections, including old prints and manuscripts, were extracted from the collections secured in Wrocław after World War II.

Over time, the collection expanded thematically to include prints on Lusatia and in Lusatian languages. A unique and historical collection of prints pertaining to Breslau and former dissertations of the University of Breslau, on a variety of subjects, also found a place within the collection. Due to the heterogeneous nature of the collection, it is referred to as a resource of Silesian silesiacs, lusatics and polonics. This book collection, thanks to the dissemination of information about it, will become an element supporting interdisciplinary scientific research, focused on issues of the past and the social, cultural and economic development of the southwestern part of our country. The possibility of using such an organized material base by obtaining information about it will create conditions for research of exceptional workshop qualities for all interested users. Particularly noteworthy are continuous publications from the first decades of the 20th century, often unknown and not used more widely. Today, the book collection of the Silesian-Lusatian collection of BUWr serves not only scientific research, but also contributes to cultural, social and economic goals in Silesia and the whole country.

The second project concerns the computer processing of 1,200 works that are part of the historical collection of the Potocki family of Krzeszowice. These books were published from the early 19th century to the 1940s of the 20th century. The collection of the Potocki family of Krzeszowice, currently scattered in various library, museum and archival institutions, is an example of a very well-preserved Polish pre-war aristocratic collection. It was built up by the family over the course of more than a century, i.e. from 1822, when the Krzeszowice line of the Potocki family emerged, until 1946, when the collection came under state management. In 1948-1949, part of them went to the University Library in Wrocław. Other parts of the collection are kept in: the National Library and the Jagiellonian Library.

The subjects of the collection are very diverse, reflecting the interests of the holders, their travels and fascinations, as well as the political situation of the time. Over the years, the collection was also enriched by gifts received by its owners and deposits from the resources of friendly collectors. The stock includes items from such diverse fields of study as medicine, science, religion and philosophy, animal husbandry and law. The books comprising the Potocki collection were published in various places – both in the Polish lands (Krakow, Lviv, Vilnius) and abroad, such as in Paris and Vienna. It is worth mentioning that the collection, expanded by successive generations of the family, retained its integrity almost completely until the outbreak of World War II. The collection is of great historical and cultural value, and can undoubtedly be considered a model example of 19th-century Polish collecting. Examples of publication titles from the collection include: An account of the deeds of the Polish National Committee from December 1831 to May 1832. Paris 1832, On the main issues of the view of the world/Wojciech Gielecki. Kraków 1916, Nasze uzdrowiska czyli Stacye klimatyczno-lecznicze/ described by dr Michał Zieleniewski. Cracow 1839.

The activities undertaken so far by the University Library to expand access to information have already brought tangible results, introduced information about many valuable sources of knowledge into the global scientific circulation, and the work undertaken in the projects described above will certainly contribute to their expansion. Thanks to ministerial funding, within the framework of the Social Responsibility of Science program, it will be possible to carry out both tasks, and information on 160 titles of unique periodical publications from the Silesian-Lusatian collection and 1,200 titles of unique works from the collection of the Potocki Family of Krzeszowice will enter scientific circulation.

Translated by Katarzyna Dorodna (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.

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