SINDROM FENIKSA: NARODNA IN UNIVERZITETNA KNJIŽNICA 1941-1950

Povzetek

IZVLEČEK

Namen: Desetletje od leta 1941 do leta 1950 je bilo za današnjo Narodno in univerzitetno knjižnico v marsičem prelomno. Knjižnica je bila ob začetku druge svetovne vojne kot Univerzitetna biblioteka preseljena v novo zgrajeno Plečnikovo palačo ter bila leta 1944 močno poškodovana v požaru. Kljub temu je bila ob koncu desetletja obnovljena in opremljena, njeni fondi so narasli s 335.000 zvezkov na 500.000 zvezkov, število delavcev se je povečalo z 10 na 58, z novim statusom nacionalne knjižnice pa se je uvrstila med najpomembnejše slovenske kulturne ustanove.
Metodologija/pristop: Prispevek temelji na arhivskem gradivu in evidencah iz obdobja 1941-1950, ki jih hrani Narodna in univerzitetna knjižnica.
Rezultati: Knjižnica je v enem najtežjih obdobij slovenske zgodovine uživala privilegiran položaj. Ta se kaže tako v sredstvih in naporih, ki so bila vložena v njeno opremljanje in v obnovo po požaru, v številnih darovih, ki jih je prejemala v času vojne, prizadevanjih oblasti za nadomestitev v požaru uničenih fondov ter s prednostnim mestom pri prevzemu knjižničnega gradiva iz fondov Federalnega zbirnega centra. Njena skladišča so kljub vojni in trem rigidnim sistemom cenzure ostala nedotaknjena, knjižnica pa je smela prevzemati in hraniti prepovedane publikacije.
Omejitve raziskave: Zanimiva bi bila primerjava s tujimi nacionalnimi knjižnicami in umestitev rezultatov v širiše družbenozgodovinske teoretične okvirje.
Izvirnost/uporabnost raziskave: Študija primera prikazuje položaj nacionalne knjižnice v specifičnih družbenopolitičnih razmerah.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The period from 1941 to 1950 was a turning point in the history of the present National and university library. At the beginning of the II World War the library (at that time known as the University Library) moved to the new palace, constructed by the architect Jožef Plečnik, to be in 1944 severely damaged by fire. However, it was reconstructed by the end of the decade and its library collections grew from 335.000 to 500.000 volumes. The number of library employees increased from 10 to 58 and the formal recognition of its national functions made it one of the most important national institutions.
Methodology/approach: The article is based on archival documents and records of the National and university library from the period of 1941-1950.
Results: During and after the war the library had a privileged status which was manifested in furnishing and reconstruction of the building, in the growth of library collections through numerous gifts which were received during and after the war to substitute the burnt collections, as well as in acquisition of library materials from the Federal Collection Centre. Its storages remained intact in spite of the war and the rigid censorship and the library was even allowed to collect and to store forbidden publications.
Research limitation: The comparison with other national libraries and a socio-historical theoretical interpretation could be a fruitful continuation of this kind of study.
Originality/practical implications: The case study explores the position of national library in the specific socio-political circumstances.