AUPC Studia ad Bibliothecarum Scientiam Pertinentia
Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis Studia ad Bibliothecarum Scientiam Pertinentia (ISSN 2081-1861, eISSN 2300-3057) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published annually. It publishes original research results in the broad fields of media & social communication studies and library & information science. The editors' main areas of interest are, in particular: issues of information science (theory and practice), information architecture (theoretical and design studies), book culture, the history of the press and the subject of the contexts of press and book (including literary life). Our journal is also open to media scholars. In line with the Polish tradition, we perceive the essence of media in an interdisciplinary way, hence we also invite scholars who study mass communication from many perspectives (including cultural, social, political, legal, economic, technological and organisational) as well as researchers of media theory and history to cooperate with us.
Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie
Tadeusz Rubik, Biblia Wujka, Rabba i Grodzickiego, seria: Reformacja w Polsce i Europie Środkowo-Wschodniej, t. 8, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Sub Lupa, 2024, ss. 764
A review of the book: Tadeusz Rubik, Biblia Wujka, Rabba i Grodzickiego, Warszawa 2024, s. 764, Seria: Reformacja w Polsce i Europie Środkowo-Wschodniej, t. 8.
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Wielki przyjaciel polskich dzieci epoki Pozytywizmu i Młodej Polski (Krzysztof Woźniakowski, Warszawski „Przyjaciel Dzieci” (1861-1915). Próba monografii, Opole: Wydawnictwo Scriptorium, 2025, ss. 308)
A review of the book: Wielki przyjaciel polskich dzieci epoki Pozytywizmu i Młodej Polski (Krzysztof Woźniakowski, Warszawski „Przyjaciel Dzieci” (1861–1915). Próba monografii, Opole: Wydawnictwo Scriptorium, 2025, ss. 308)
Kalisz i jego książki – dwa razy przez Niemców niszczone… (Pomnik Książki w Kaliszu. Historia, ludzie, znaczenie, podali do druku B. Celer, H. Karolewska, M. Mikołajczyk, Kalisz: Towarzystwo Przyjaciół Książki w Kaliszu, 2025, ss. 47)
The Germans destroyed Kalisz's book collections twice in the 20th century. The first time was when they occupied the city without a fight, abandoned by Russian troops, in August 1914 and, as a result of a provocation, completely destroyed it. The second time was in 1939, when, following the invasion of Poland, they began to liquidate the elites and cultural heritage of Poles. These actions are consistent with the Prussian and later German policy of liquidating the Polish state and nation, which has been ongoing since the 18th century.
Małgorzata Kowalska-Chrzanowska, Przemysław Krysiński, Natalia Pamuła, Metody i narzędzia budowania społecznej odporności na dezinformację: od fact-checkingu po edukację medialną, wyd. 1, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika, Toruń 2024, ss. 312
A review of the book: Małgorzata Kowalska-Chrzanowska, Przemysław Krysiński, Natalia Pamuła, Metody i narzędzia budowania społecznej odporności na dezinformację: od fact-checkingu po edukację medialną, wyd. 1, Toruń: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika, 2024, ss. 312
Aleksandra Powierska, W sieci mediów społecznościowych: teorie i metody badań, wyd. 1, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, 2024
A review of the book: Aleksandra Powierska, W sieci mediów społecznościowych: teorie i metody badań, wyd. 1, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, 2024
Architect of Value in the Ecosystem of Digital Products: Around Joel Marsh's Book, UX for Business: How to Design Valuable Digital Companies
This review discusses Joel Marsh’s book UX for Business: How to Design Valuable Digital Companies (Helion, 2024), which expands his approach to user experience design. Targeted at designers, product leaders, and managers, the book positions UX not just as interface aesthetics but as a strategic tool for value creation within digital ecosystems. Marsh presents a three-part WDP model (Value – Diagnosis – Probability), combining design thinking, problem diagnosis, and probabilistic intuition. The review highlights the book’s strengths, clear structure, practical examples, and insights into organizational culture, while noting its limitations for academic audiences, such as the lack of references and terminological imprecision. The book serves as an inspiring resource for teaching UX and exploring the value-based perspective in digital product design.
Poszukiwania przodków bez tajemnic (Karol Ebertowski, Informacja genealogiczna w Polsce. Metodyka gromadzenia i opracowywania danych, Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe i Edukacyjne Stowarzyszenia Bibliotekarzy Polskich, 2025, ss. 240)
This review of Karol Ebertowski’s book “Genealogical information in Poland: Methodology of data collection and processing” offers a critical evaluation of the publication focused on the theoretical and practical aspects of genealogical data in the Polish context. The author assesses the work’s interdisciplinary approach, the relevance and clarity of its empirical content, and the functionality of the tools discussed. It contributes to the broader academic discourse on genealogical information standards and their significance for the development of information science, archival studies, and applied genealogy.
The Reception of Mikołaj Rej's Work in Bohemia and Silesia from the Mid-16th Century to the Mid-18th Century (Reconnaissance)
Summary This article examines the reception of Mikołaj Rej's works in Bohemia and Silesia from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Bartłomiej Paprocki was the most influential figure in this regard among our southern neighbors. The work of the Czech Brethren in Poland also made a significant contribution to the popularization of Rej's work. A prime example of this is Amos Comenius's interest in the work of the master from Nagłowice. Clear traces of the reception of Rej's work can be found in Silesia at the end of the 16th century in the flourishing Protestant centers of the Duchy of Legnica-Brzeg and in southern Silesia, in the Duchy of Cieszyn. Religious literature in Polish flourished there, drawing primarily from the literature of the "Golden Age." Three successive generations of Silesian writers made impressive achievements in popularizing Mikołaj Rej's literary traditions, drawing not only on the Postil but also on his other works. Adam Gdacjusz, known as the "Silesian Rej," deserves special attention. After the Thirty Years' War, he was associated with the Kluczbork-Byczyn center, where he developed his literary activity. The research conducted indicates a pressing need for further and more detailed studies on the reception of Mikołaj Rej's work, revealing numerous gaps and uncertainties in the material that has been collected.
Unpublished edition of source materials on the interregnum after the death of King John III (1696-1697) by Andrzej Chryzostom Załuski, Bishop of Płock and Warmia
This article is about probably the first initiative in Poland to publish in print—i.e. not to disseminate in manuscript form—a large collection of source materials on an important fragment of the history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth – the interregnum, 1696–1697. The author of the discussed edition was Andrzej Chryzostom Załuski (1648–1711), Bishop of Płock and Warmia, who was active in the field of documenting the events of public life and publishing historical sources. As the edition ultimately never appeared in print, its only evidence is a fragmentary manuscript copy (available at the National Ossolineum Library in Wrocław, no. 447). Because most of Załuski's private archive, including letters, has not survived to the present day, it is not possible to establish the circumstances of the composition of the edition or the reasons for which it was not printed. However, it is possible to hypothesise that it may have been completed as early as the end of 1697 and that it may have been addressed primarily to the circles of the Roman Curia, with whom Załuski maintained lively correspondence at the time. The fragmentary nature of the extant manuscript does not make it possible to reconstruct the exact contents of the edition, but it does allow us to establish its most important editorial features and the nature of the texts it contained. They were typical materials of public life at that time, such as accounts of parliamentary sessions, letters and speeches by members of the Sobieski family and of state dignitaries, official files, journalistic writings and pasquinades. The most interesting and original feature of this edition is its source-historiographical form. Almost all the texts included in it were provided by Załuski with more or less extensive commentaries, which gives his work the character of an annotated edition of source materials. This makes it an interesting and hitherto unknown contribution to the history of literary culture in Old Poland.
Faces of Krakow’s ‘for the people’ press in the 19th century. An analysis based on the examples of Nowin ze Świata, Włościanina, Zagrody
The article is dedicated to Krakow's press for the people in the 19th century - "Nowiny ze Świata”, „Włościanin”, „Zagroda”. These publications aimed at educating the rural society in accordance with the principles of the Catholic faith and the current of socio-political conservatism. They contained articles on religious, social, and political topics, stories, and poems. Content analysis method was used to present the publications. The research covered annual volumes of the periodicals from 1863 to 1879, available in digitized form at the Jagiellonian Digital Library. The outcome is a presentation of the graphic layout, internal structure, and main thematic threads.
Publishing marketing of the interwar period on the example of the Instytut Wydawniczy Renaissance
Using the example of the publishing group created by brothers David and Ludwig Erdtracht, which operated in the 1920s and 1930s in Poland, Austria and Germany, the rich array of marketing techniques and activities used by publishers of the interwar period is shown. The Renaissance Publishing Institute, operating in Vienna and Leipzig under the name Interterritoriale Verlag Renaissance and the network of subsidiary companies and publishing imprints expanded on its basis, undertook a number of interesting promotional and branding activities during its less than two decades of operation, thanks to the unconventional approach of its owners. In addition to the typical techniques of print and ephemeral advertising, the publishers attached great importance to branding their products and companies. They also actively stimulated the book market by commissioning numerous translations, organizing literary contests, actions promoting Polish literature abroad and publishing several short-lived periodicals of an informative and literary nature and also tinged with self-promotion. The publishers, because of their bold repertoire, aggressive advertising and the atmosphere of scandal that accompanied them from the early years, repeatedly became the object of media attention. They skillfully used these occasions to promote their activities and publications. The activities of the Erdtracht brothers exemplify a very consciously managed, comprehensive and often unconventional publishing marketing distinguished from other Polish outlets of the interwar period.
Concepts of Public Librarianship in the Early Volumes of the Journal 'Česka Osvěta'
In the early 20th century, modern public librarianship began to emerge in the Czech lands. A key figure in this development was J. L. Živný, one of the most prominent individuals in the history of Czech librarianship, who actively promoted British and American models of public library service. He disseminated these ideas, among other venues, through the journal Česka Osvěta. Although primarily focused on the organization of public education, the journal also had a distinct library science orientation, particularly during its initial years—a fact underscored by its subtitle at the time: „Česka Osvěta. List věnovaný zájmům veřejného knihovnictví a organisaci lidového vzdělání”. This article examines the journal's founder, contributors, structure, and formal characteristics, and analyzes its thematic scope. As a professional platform, Česka Osvěta served as a significant source of information for library practitioners and played an important role in shaping the discourse on public librarianship in early 20th-century Czech society.
Bibliography of the history of Polish Tatars by Leon Najman-Mirza Kryczyński as an example of a bibliography of an ethnic minority in Poland in the interwar period
Leon Najman-Mirza Kryczyński (1887-1939?), a lawyer by education, was the leader of the Tatar cultural and scientific movement in Poland in the interwar period. Professional activities did not exclude his interests in the history of Polish Tatars. He published a number of articles in periodicals and scientific journals on the history, culture and life of the Tatars. Throughout his life, he collected bibliographic materials on the history of Polish Tatars, which he successively published. The result of his twenty-five years of bibliographic studies was the Bibliography of the History of Polish Tatars, published in Zamość in 1935. This unique work is still an irreplaceable tool for researchers of the Tatar language in Poland.
„The eulogist of ecstasy” and „the Caliban of fantastic literature”. On the reception of Hanns Heinz Ewers’ literary work in interwar Poland
The article is devoted to an issue that has been little explored in literary studies so far: the popularity and critical reception of the German fantastic literature author Hanns Heinz Ewers in interwar Poland. The article is structured around the following issues: 1) an outline of Ewers’s work and his place in the Western fantastic literature tradition; 2) a structured summary of Polish-language editions of Ewers’s prose and a discussion of the prewar popularization of his works in Poland, with particular emphasis on the role of Stanisław Przybyszewski and theinitiative of the Lviv-based publishing house “Lektor” in this process; 3) a characterization of selected reception commentaries accompanying Polish editions of the German fantastic writer (S. Przybyszewski, S. Schayer, S. Grabiński).
The Vision of the Presidency in Ideological Press: The Case of Stanisław Wojciechowski and the Weekly Wola Ludu (1922–1926)
The article presents the image of Stanisław Wojciechowski in the socialist press based on publications in the weekly Wola Ludu from 1922 to 1926. It examines the ways in which his figure was portrayed in the context of the political and social challenges of contemporary Poland, including economic instability, class tensions, and growing political divisions. Special attention is given to press coverage of his activities as president, including economic initiatives, meetings with citizens, and interactions with political and social elites. The article also discusses the press reaction to the May Coup of 1926 and its consequences for Wojciechowski’s presidency.
The motif of the river in literary works published in the magazines of the „Nasza Księgarnia” Publishing Institute between 1945 and 1989.
The article discusses the motif of the river in children’s literature published in the magazines of the Nasza Księgarnia Publishing Institute between 1945 and 1989 (Miś, Iskierki, Świerszczyk-Iskierki, Świerszczyk, Płomyczek, Płomyk). The research consisted of analysing the content of selected texts published in popular periodicals, taking into account the historical and social context. In the works under consideration, this motif served various functions: from a realistic plot background to a metaphorical representation of the changeability of life, borders, community, and civilisational progress. The river, present in the Polish landscape as a geographical and cultural element, created a space of a recreational, educational, emotional or symbolic nature in the message addressed to young audiences. The research conducted shows the diversity and evolution of representations – from highly conventionalised images of rivers subordinated to ideological discourse and propaganda, to more poetic and subtle approaches with playful, cultural or ecological accents. The Vistula and Oder rivers played a special role as symbols of the state, history and economy, while smaller rivers appeared less frequently, mainly in regional and educational contexts. The motif of the river thus appears as a multidimensional element of the message addressed to children, integrating natural, social and ideological perspectives. The identified patterns of river imagery allow for a better understanding of the mechanisms shaping the consciousness of young audiences in the political conditions that existed between 1945 and 1989. They also point to the durability of the river motif as a carrier of cultural and educational values that transcend time and ideology.
The communicative and structural aspects of contemporary dietary guides against culinary guidance patterns in Poland between 1945 and 1989: Preliminary considerations
The aim of this article is to present the structural and communicative aspects of contemporary dietary guides against the backdrop of culinary counseling patterns from 1945 to 1989. The analysis employs the method of describing structural aspects of Maria Wojtak and a communicative perspective relevant to research on advisory discourse. The research material encompasses representative texts from contemporary dietary guides. The analysis results indicate that the structure of modern guides reflects a shift from an instructional function to an education al-lifestyle function, utilizing new means of persuasion and visualization, tailored to the needs of an audience operating in conditions of information overload. A characteristic feature is also the intense highlighting of the author’s position, representing the expert-celebrity model; this fact not only influences the structure of the text but also demonstrates the significant role that the aforementioned publications play in shaping the cultural idea of role-models.
The Image of Helena Rubinstein in the First Half of the 1940s as Portrayed in Selected Polonia Media: An Introduction to the Study.
This preliminary study examines the media image of Helena Rubinstein in Polish-American media in New York during the first half of the 1940s. Despite numerous biographies, Rubinstein’s strong connections to her Polish and Jewish heritage remain largely unexplored in existing research. This article addresses this gap by analyzing Polish-language press (specifically Nowy Świat. The Polish Morning World and Tygodnik Polski. The Polish Weekly) and a radio broadcast from the period, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. The research reveals that Rubinstein, born Chaja Rubinstein in Kraków (then Podgórze), actively cultivated her public image through thousands of media communications since 1902. In the United States, particularly during World War II, her engagement with the Polish diaspora intensified. Between 1940 and 1945, Rubinstein appeared approximately 365 times in the two main Polish-American newspapers in New York, publishing advertisements, sponsored articles, and interviews. She also sponsored and occasionally hosted Polish-language radio programs on station WHOM, often featuring prominent Polish émigrés. The findings indicate a consistently positive portrayal, emphasizing her expertise in beauty and her strong ties to Polish identity, often referring to her as “our compatriot” or “Polish expert.” Her Jewish background was not highlighted in these Polish-language sources; instead, she was sometimes presented in the context of Christian holidays. The study also notes differences in advertising strategies between the two newspapers, suggesting varied target audiences. This initial investigation highlights the significant role of Polish-American media in shaping Rubinstein’s public persona during a pivotal period and serves as a foundation for broader research into her complete media image in the United States.
Before and After Gorbachev's Breakthrough. The USSR in the Polish Underground Press of the 1980s
This article presents a reconstruction of two media images of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: before and after Mikhail Gorbachev's election as General Secretary of the CPSU. The material was based on articles from "Tygodnik Mazowsze," one of the most important underground publications. The chosen method was a content analysis of the magazines, which allowed for the identification of differences between the two descriptions. The image of the USSR in the early 1980s is primarily pejorative. The image of the USSR after Gorbachev's election reveals significant social conflicts. One of the main thematic categories is the description by Gorbachev himself. The texts in "Tygodnik Mazowsze" are of documentary value, particularly in their descriptions of the regaining of independence by Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. A significant portion of the journalistic sources in "Tygodnik Mazowsze" come from the Soviet press.
Shōnen and shōjo manga on the Polish publishing market in the years 1996-2016
The aim of the article is to analyze the presence of Japanese comics in the Polish publishing market from 1996 to 2016. The text focuses on shōnen (comics for boys) and shōjo (comics for girls) mangas. The article briefly presents the history of Japanese comics in Poland, discusses the characteristics of publications targeted at the aforementioned groups, and examines the gender and age criteria used by Japanese publishers to categorize their publications.
Books about feelings and emotions for younger children on the Polish publishing market in 2021–2024 (quantitative-thematic analysis)
Books about feelings and emotions are appearing more and more often on the Polish publishing market. Basically absent before the political transformation, they gradually began to arrive mainly in the form of translations from foreign literatures. Currently, many Polish authors and illustrators create such editions. The article shows this phenomenon using the example of Polish publishing production from 2021–2024 (125 editions). Using quantitative methods (bibliographic and bibliometric), based on the National Library catalogue, the predominance of translation literature in the studied publication segment, the dominance of the picture book and the large dispersion of publishers and publishing series were indicated. The groups and specific topics to which the books under study were devoted were distinguished. A qualitative analysis was carried out on a sample of representative books from the largest series devoted to emotions and feelings of those elements of the auxiliary apparatus that indicate the form, type and purpose of the publication in selected editions.
"The 'Book' Between Text, Image, and Theatre – The Multimodality of Kamishibai Theatre"
Thesis/aim: Kamishibai theatre represents an unconventional, multimodal form of publishing due to its close integration of verbal and visual codes, as well as its multisensory nature from the audience’s perspective. The aim of this analysis is to explore the relationships and functions of various semiotic codes in kamishibai theatre: the text, the image, and the performative manner of their presentation. The material analyzed consists of kamishibai story cards entitled Tenderness by A. Guilloppé (Tibum Publishing, Katowice 2018). Research methods: The study is based on a model of multimodal analysis commonly used in media genre research. This model involves macro- and micro-level analysis of the communicative act, distinguishing the discursive perspectives of the sender, the receiver, and the message itself, as well as describing the integration of codes and subcodes within the message. The primary analytical tools employed are the cognitive mechanisms of metonymy and multimodal metaphor. Results: In kamishibai theatre, there is a close interconnection between the linguistic and visual codes, unified through a performative mode of presentation that is dynamic rather than static—mimicking the action of a stage performance. Visual and verbal metonymy proves to be a precise tool for meaning construction, enabling both the creation and interpretation of conceptual metaphors embedded in the message. Conclusions: Kamishibai theatre exhibits two types of multimodality. First, it is inherent in the genre itself, in which the structural and formal coexistence of visual and verbal codes is essential. However, the function and significance of these codes differ from the perspective of the sender and the receiver. Second, multimodality operates at the level of the meaning of the specific story, where the message arises from the interaction between image and text, both referring to a higher-order element – the title of the kamishibai “book.”
Literary adaptations and film tie-in book covers in the context of contemporary publishing and film production: A preliminary study based on Polish screen adaptations on selected SVoD platforms
From the very first fiction productions, literature has always been a source of inspiration for the film industry, but also a ready-made material for screenplays. The potential inherent in adaptations is also increasingly recognised by SVoD platforms, which are deeply penetrating the publishing market in search of titles that can satisfy subscriber demand. The current intensification of efforts by both film makers and publishers to adapt literary texts is described in the first part of this article. The second part presents the results of the author’s own research, offering a quantitative overview of Polish screen adaptations available on internationally accessible streaming services. The third part is an attempt to characterise, also on the basis of the author’s own study, this visible form of convergence between the literary and cinematic worlds, as manifested in the use of film tie-in book covers. According to the collected data, such publisher activities were observed in 75% of Polish film and series adaptations of the last decade available on streaming.
The Role of Anna Gramatyka-Ostrowska in the Development of Polish Book Design
This article seeks to restore the memory of the forgotten illustrator and book designer Anna Gramatyka-Ostrowska (1882–1958), one of the first women to be actively engaged in the field of publishing graphics in Poland. It outlines the conditions of the book and illustration market at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and presents the artist’s educational and professional background, situating her work within a broader context of social and artistic transformation. The article also discusses the key locations of Ostrowska’s professional activity, her collaborations with authors of children’s literature (including Maria Dynowska and Zofia Rogoszówna), and her relationships with leading publishing houses of the time. Particular attention is given to an analysis of her illustrative output — more than 23 books she illustrated are examined, with emphasis on her preferred graphic techniques as well as the scale and character of her artistic practice.
Artificial Intelligence in Publication Design: A Designer’s Perspective
The aim of this article is to conduct a research and characterize a new phenomenon on the Polish book market: the application of generative AI models in publication design. AI tools that are evolving rapidly, hold immense potential, and will eventually change publication design methods in ways that are difficult to estimate. The author research fits into the broader context of book arts and contemporary publishing studies. The primary sources consist of statements by designers, published online (on portals, blogs, social media, YouTube, etc.). These sources help identify key issues and the most important aspects of ongoing discussions. Currently, generative models are used to create images for both traditional and digital publications (e.g., covers, illustrations). Contrary to popular belief, creating professional illustrations with AI still requires a graphic designer’s involvement. These images are not perfect; they often exhibit a certain randomness, hallucinations, and visual errors. Another issue is the lack of appropriate regulations regarding copyright.
The main heroes and heroines of the most popular films from 1940-2019. Quantitative analysis
The article is a quantitative analysis conducted on a sample of 800 of the most popular films from 1940-2019. The research material consists of 10 films that achieved the best box-office results in a given year. Then, based on the data appearing on the website www.imdb.com, a list was prepared including the first, first three and first six names that appeared when discussing a given title. The comparison of these names in terms of gender allowed us to indicate the dominance of male-centric narratives among the most popular films from 1940-2019, although the distribution of this dominance in individual decades is interesting. The study showed, for example, that the most popular films with female leads (30%) appeared in the years 1940-1949, while the least (5%) appeared in the years 2000-2009. What also seems interesting is the fact that out of the 800 films examined, there is not a single narrative with 6 main female characters, while as many as 55 films with 6 dominant male characters appeared in the list.
Out of reluctance for words, out of love for places. The specifics of characters' communication and the essence of space in selected films by David Lynch
The purpose of this article is to examine how the communicative and visual elements in David Lynch's works– in the context of their unusual and unique nature. It is reflected on how the characters of his films communicate with each other (mixing linguistic functions, hyperbolization, dance, discomforting pauses), as well as how space and other means of cinematic expression (acoustic dimension, color, onirism, surrealism) function in this context. The article refers to the scholarly and essayistic literature on David Lynch's work that has arisen both in Polish and foreign scholarly circles (for instance: Kinga Jelińska, Kamil Lipinski, Slavoj Žižek, David Foster Wallace). The artist's work was set in the midst of many theoretical contexts, on the basis of which analyses of selected films of the director or their fragments (for example, Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart) were carried out. The conclusions of the analysis and theoretical considerations emphasize the importance of the indicated elements in David Lynch's work, and also point to the sensual dimension of the impact of his works - amidst surrealism and dream poetics, they can go directly to the senses and emotions of the audience.
Knowledge as a Gift: From Academic Ethos to Digital Humanities
The article analyzes the extent to which academic values – openness, collaboration, and responsibility for knowledge – shaped the early Internet culture, and how the idea of the gift transformed under the conditions of network commercialization. The aim of the article is to demonstrate the continuity between the academic ethos and contemporary forms of digital knowledge sharing. The study applies the method of comparative analysis and a critical interpretation of the concept of the gift culture in the context of the development of the Internet and the digital humanities, drawing on both older and contemporary scholarly literature. It is shown that the Internet emerged from an academic model of collaboration based on trust and transparency, and that the idea of the gift, originally communal, was trans formed within platform capitalism. However, practices that preserve the original meaning of the gift still persist. Today’s digital humanities continue the academic ethos, combining cooperation with reflection on the social role of technology. The idea of the gift remains a cultural point of reference, reminding us that technology should serve the community and knowledge should remain a public good.
Main areas of research related to artificial intelligence in the information architecture and UX design research literature
Aim/Thesis: The rapid development of new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies observed in recent years has triggered discussions about the future of information architecture (IA) and related design disciplines. This paper attempts to verify the thesis that the development of AI is significantly shaping the research field of contemporary information architecture and UX design, leading to the formation of new research areas and the identification of the most important ones. Research methods: A quantitative keyword association analysis and a qualitative approach using critical content analysis and a systematic literature review were used as the basis for identifying and characterising these areas. Subject literature recorded in the Scopus database was analysed, comprising publications published between 2019 and 2024 representing topics indexed with the most frequently used and most strongly associated keywords and publications most frequently cited. Conclusions: The analysis identified six problem areas that can be considered as the main areas of impact of the developing AI technology on research in the broad field of information architecture: (1) AI applications to support IA and UX design; (2) design of applications and web services with AI-based functionalities; (3) use of IA to organise data for AI/ML/DL; (4) education of IA and UX designers in AI; (5) human-AI interaction, explainable AI and human-centred AI; (6) theoretical foundations and methodologies for the design of IA, UX and intelligent digital products.
AI images vs the users’ visual perception: What AI should know about the viewer when generating images?
Thesis/Objective of the Article: In recent years, the photorealism of images generated by artificial intelligence algorithms has significantly improved. This study assesses the realism of AI-generated images by comparing them with real photographs. The analysis focused on four categories of objects: human faces, cats, cars, and buildings. Methodology: The study was experimental and used eye-tracking technology to analyze visual perception. Participants were asked to evaluate the authenticity of the presented images and indicate essential visual features. Quantitative data were collected through fixation analysis, and statistical tests were applied to identify differences between selected groups. Additionally, participants completed questionnaires during and after the experiment. Results: Human faces were the most challenging category to identify correctly, while cars and buildings were the easiest. The analysis of gaze patterns and timing characteristics revealed differences based on the participants’ gender and level of domain knowledge. Conclusions: The pilot study indicates that participants with advanced knowledge of generative graphics focused on detecting artifacts, typical errors produced by AI algorithms. The findings suggest that the perception of AI-generated images depends on the viewer’s experience and the type of depicted object.
Media and digital competences of Generation Alpha – towards collaborative education methods, collaborative research projects and everyday anthropology
The aim of the article is to link the attributes of Generation Alpha with strategies for improving their media and digital competences within formal and home education and conducting scientific research on the title issue. Elements of collaborative anthropology and anthropology of everyday life were used for this purpose. The results of existing and own research presented in the article concern current and future strategies for using various types of media by new generations, also in relation to media using linguistic discourse. The findings made in the article are also important for book publishers and the press market. In relation to the challenges of contemporary media civilization, new strategies for establishing communication with this generation are desirable, which will be, on the one hand, compatible with their needs, possibilities and expectations, and on the other hand - consistent with the assumptions of (media) education 4.0.
Knowledge ecosystems as a research area in information science
Objective: This article aims to show the interrelationships between knowledge ecosystems and the field of information science research. Methodology: The article is written from the perspective of an information science researcher, which consists not only of the use of scientific literature (declarative knowledge), which is still modest in the proposed approach, but also of experience and intuition (procedural knowledge). Results: The concept of an ecosystem (including a knowledge ecosystem) is increasingly present in scientific literature in the field of social sciences. The theoretical and methodological contribution that information science currently makes to the development of research on knowledge ecosystems is presented. The latter is shown to be an area of importance for the future development of information science, giving rise to specific postulates and challenges. Conclusions: In light of the dynamic technological and social changes related to knowledge, further exploration and development of the concept of knowledge ecosystems are crucial conditions for maintaining the relevance and usefulness of information science in the near future and its growing social impact.
Fact-checking as a media practice: between information reliability and censorship
This article explores fact-checking as a contemporary media practice, analyzing its functions, limitations, and impact on freedom of expression in the digital era. While fact-checking is often presented as a tool to protect truth and combat disinformation, in practice it raises concerns related to transparency, content selection, relationships with digital platforms, and the lack of public oversight. The study argues that fact-checking, despite its potential informational value, can lead to the marginalization of legal yet unpopular views and contribute to a chilling effect in public debate. Based on four case studies (COVID-19, the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the war in Ukraine, and the public discourse on LGBT+ individuals), the article demonstrates that fact-checking is not merely a technical process but a form of narrative power in the information space. It concludes with recommendations for institutional safeguards that ensure transparency, proportionality, and pluralism in the use of verification mechanisms.
Palantir from Orthanc as an example of an information bubble and its impact on international relations
The article discusses the phenomenon of the information bubble and its impact on contemporary international relations. An analogy was used to Tolkien's palantir from Orthanc, which accurately illustrates this phenomenon on the example of the world of Middle-earth created by him and the War of the Ring taking place in it. Both, its importance to states and individuals were taken into account, combining the effects of the palantir's influence on the user who is not prepared to use its powers. They have been transferred to the modern Internet user using social media, which for many are both the whole world and the only source of words read every day.
Pathostreaming through the eyes of a viewer: An attempt to analyze the phenomenon using Elżbieta Gawin’s virtual activity as an example
Internet is a media space where you can encounter various forms of expression from virtual creators. It also provides a platform for promoting negative behaviors, such as patostreaming. The research used the virtual activities of Elżbieta Gawin as an example, identifying them as patostreaming content. A media content analysis was conducted, referencing the Lasswell model and the theory of uses and gratifications as understood by Stanisław Michalczyk. Based on this method, the behaviors and reception motivations of viewers forming a specific community around the discussed patostreaming activity were examined. Additionally, a selection and categorization of messages appearing on live streams conducted by EG, as well as on the official Discord channel, was performed. An attempt was also made to characterize the profiles of the audience. The analysis shows that the reception of content presented by EG is mainly negative. The author's attempt to analyze the phenomenon of patostreaming from the viewer's perspective may serve as a starting point for in-depth research for media and communication researchers, as well as for psychologists and educators focusing on virtual threats in their work.
Doppelgangers, oligarchs and distortions. Research notes on Russian disinformation tactics in Israel and their influence on Western partners
Russian disinformation and influence strategies in Western countries are a widely discussed phenomena, especially in connection to the full scale invasion on Ukraine. Such strategies are also used in Israel, where several factors have been identified - most prominent among them being the Doppelganger operation concerned with fabricating of websites and articles mimicking respected and well established media outlets, as well as the activities of wealthy persons connected to Russian state through business enterprises and often citizenship and place of origin, who exert significant influence on the political scene in the country as well as the relationships with foreign partners in the West. This article puts forward two hypotheses: Russian influence campaigns tend to promote narratives that align with core Russian interests in Europe, promoting anti-Ukrainian, anti-NATO and anti-Western narratives. The second hypothesis states that Russian oligarchs with Israeli citizenship contribute to advancing Russian interests in Israel through their affiliations with important political, social and cultural institutions such as Yad Vashem or European Jewish Congress. Through case-study approach to public figures such as Moshe Kantor and queries of analyses on the Doppelganger campaigns done by Israeli think-tanks as well as Israeli media we propose a framework for researching the influence and verify the hypotheses put forward positively, looking into their impact on European Union, United States, Ukraine and Poland. In conclusion, this paper sees the importance of such influence campaigns as well as argue that they are at least partially successful due to prejudices that are present within the fabric of Israeli society and appeal to the imagination of citizens that show a high level of distrust towards international institutions or are cautious of any notions of anti-Semitic incidents or Nazism, that are frequently used in such narratives.
Professor youtuber. Characteristics of the ‘Dudek o Historii’ channel's message
One of the ways in which the dissemination of academic knowledge and research is practised on the YouTube platform is through channels that popularise history. Here, the example is taken of ‘Dudek o Historii’ [Dudek on History], which was launched in November 2022 and is devoted to the contemporary history of Poland. Despite its somewhat traditional formula, this popularisation project has proved successful. The text is an introduction to research aimed at finding the sources of the success of this popularisation project and its importance for the popularisation of history and scientific research. The first part of the article presents the genesis of the channel. The second part characterises the message used in the context of the online vlog genre and compares it to that used on other popular science channels.
Promoting East Asian Literature in Poland via Instagram: A Comparative Study of Two Publishers
This article examines the communication strategies of two Polish publishing houses—Yumeka and Kwiaty Orientu—in promoting East Asian literature on Instagram. The study focuses on how literary content is presented, how cultural values are highlighted, and how audiences are engaged within the digital space. The analysis is based on posts published between June 1 and August 9, 2025, using qualitative content analysis and a coding framework derived from U. Kuckartz’s methodology. The findings reveal distinct differences in the communication styles of the two publishers: Yumeka employs an intensive, multilayered narrative centered on Chinese literature and its social dimensions, while Kwiaty Orientu favors an aesthetic and emotionally driven approach focused on Korean literature. In this context, Instagram serves not only as a promotional tool but also as a platform for cultural mediation and education. The diverse strategies demonstrate that East Asian literature can be effectively promoted on social media through the use of aesthetics, emotional resonance, and cultural values.
Problems of contemporary Polish archival science. Report
Library and Information Science in the Polish students’ research on the example of Bachelor and Master theses defended in 2023
In the subject literature it is quite easy to find materials analysing the topics of research undertaken by representatives of the discipline Library and Information Science, both in Poland and abroad. Issues related to diploma theses are less frequently discussed, especially those completed in first and second cycle studies according to the Bologna system. The research undertaken by the author is intended to fill this gap to some extent. It was decided to indicate the main directions of research by graduates of studies in the field of library and information science in Poland by analysing bibliographic record elements of theses defended in 2023 and then deposited in the Archives of Diploma Theses. By using the method of content analysis of bibliographic records (title, keywords and abstract) and analysis of the content of university LIS institutes’ websites, it was possible to distinguish three main areas of interest: library science, information science and social communication and media. The most frequently undertaken topics included: social media, publishing market, information behavior, literature from a publishing perspective, information architecture, usability, information management, promotion of books and magazines, books for children and young people. A common feature of the works is a high degree of interdisciplinarity. Project-type works are gaining popularity at both levels of studies – they constituted 7.7% of the entire analyzed material.
WordPress in Information Science Didactics: A Case Study in Information Architecture, Information Management, Digital Publishing, and Competence Mapping
This article explores the potential of WordPress as a teaching tool that bridges the theory of information science with the practice of information system design. It presents a case study of two academic programs offered at the Institute of Information Science at the University of National Education in Krakow—Information Architecture (AI) and Information Management and Digital Publishing (ZIiPC). Based on course syllabi, curricula, and course descriptions from the 2022/2023 academic year, the competencies developed in both programs were mapped and compared to the requirements of working within the WordPress environment. Particular attention was given to courses that develop skills in information organization, interface design, SEO, responsive web design, and the implementation of custom post types, taxonomies, and faceted navigation. The analysis demonstrates that the systematic use of WordPress enables students to apply theoretical knowledge about information structure, metadata, and user needs in the creation of functional websites and web applications. As such, the WordPress platform serves as a digital competence laboratory, supporting the development of technical and analytical skills essential in today's labor market within the fields of information, digital media, and web technologies.
Libraries of Non-Public Higher Education Institutions in Poland – A Comparative Analysis (1990–2010 vs. 2024)
The article presents a selected excerpt from research on the state and development prospects of libraries at non-state (private) higher education institutions in Poland. Examining the geographical distribution of these institutions across Poland serves as a starting point for a deeper analysis of the changes taking place in their operations. To this end, we compared data compiled between 1990 and 2010 with data collected in 2024. The analysis was conducted across several key areas: technological changes, organizational developments, and the evolving roles of the libraries under study. The analysis was conducted in several key areas, including technological and organisational changes, and the evolving roles of the libraries under study. The article aims to present the numerical development of these libraries in Poland and demonstrate the accompanying changes in the educational and technological environment. Keywords: non-public higher education, libraries of non-public universities, changes in libraries, comparative analysis.
The academic library as a 'third place'. The example of the Silesian University of Technology Library
Traditionally, academic libraries were perceived almost exclusively as spaces closely associated with learning and research conducted at the university in the context of using information sources. The use of tools that allow searching digital resources from anywhere has resulted in libraries becoming empty. The process of finding information and gathering the necessary literature could take place outside the walls of academic libraries; additionally, the installation of book vending machines and drop-off points has made it possible to serve readers using traditional books available for borrowing at hours convenient for the user. The modern digital transformation and the constantly changing needs of academic library users, which include students, university authorities and staff, as well as representatives of the university's environment, have compelled academic libraries to change their working methods and expand the range of services offered to users, which has influenced the perception of the role of libraries in the academic environment. Currently, this involves a conscious effort to also become a 'third place' within the university, with academic libraries becoming centers of intellectual and social life on the university campus map. The article attempts to analyze spatial organization in the context of implementing the 'third place' concept. Selected literature on the subject was analyzed, and based on it, the assumptions of the third place in relation to the spatial arrangement of academic libraries were presented. Additionally, using the example of the Library of the Silesian University of Technology, the practical implementation of the described functional assumptions was demonstrated.
Wine and Winemaking as Reflected in Kraków’s Local Press in the 1980s
The article presents the results of an analysis of topics related to wine and winemaking that appeared in Kraków newspapers during the 1980s. The study examined the content of three Kraków periodicals—*Dziennik Polski*, *Echo Krakowa*, and *Gazeta Krakowska*. The research employed quantitative corpus analysis techniques supported by automated computer methods. The material was coded according to the thematic categorization of each text.
Baltic disinformation architecture - a case study in the EUvsDISINFO database
Thesis/purpose of the article: Disinformation constitutes one of the most significant challenges for contemporary information societies. This article presents the contexts in which the term “disinformation” is searched by Polish Internet users and discusses the EUvsDISINFO project – a European initiative that analyzes and documents instances of disinformation in the media. However, the primary aim of the study is to analyze the content and sources of disinformation related to the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) based on data contained in the EUvsDISINFO database. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods, including content analysis and metadata analysis. The “Baltic States” search filter within the database was also used, allowing the identification of 363 disinformation cases for further analysis. The collected material was examined in terms of dominant themes, sources of content dissemination, and the countries featured in the narratives. The findings indicate six main thematic areas of disinformation: geopolitics and military threats, narratives targeting Russian-speaking minorities, historical revisionism (especially related to World War II), undermining the sovereignty of the Baltic States, Russian military aggression against Ukraine, and conspiracy theories. The analysis of sources revealed the dominant role of social media, Russian news websites, blogs, and so-called media impersonating local communities. In the disinformation narratives, the most frequently mentioned countries were Russia, Poland, Ukraine, and the United States, confirming the importance of further research on disinformation from the perspective of Poland and the Central and Eastern European region.
Fake news in the context of exposing their falsehood
Thesis/Aim: The main aim of the article is to present the process of the creation and dissemination of fake news and the mechanisms used to debunk them, as well as to verify the classification of fake news into three categories: completely fabricated information, information that distorts the picture of reality, and manipulated materials. Research Methods: The study employed the method of qualitative content analysis. The research material consisted of 31 political fake news items, identified and described by the fact-checking portal Demagog.org.pl in the period from January 1, 2024, to September 1, 2024. The analysis involved categorizing the collected data according to predefined variables, such as the type of false information, the technology used, distribution channels, and verification methods. Results: The analysis showed that the most numerous category is fake news that distort reality, which are based on true information but completely warp its meaning. Fully fabricated news was the least common. It was found that the main channel for distributing false content is social media (such as Facebook, X, TikTok). Three main methods for detecting fake news were also identified: content analysis, verification of source materials, and checking at the source. Conclusions: The study allowed for the identification of recurring mechanisms for the creation, dissemination, and verification of fake news. The key role of fact-checking methods in building a critical approach to the phenomenon of disinformation was emphasized. It was also noted that due to the continuous development of technology and media, the phenomenon of fake news is a forward-looking issue that requires further research.
Fear Management as a Communication Strategy of the Civic Platform in the 2023 Election Campaign: An Analysis of Posts Published on the X Platform
This article examines the strategic use of fear in the political communication of Civic Platform (CP) during the 2023 parliamentary election campaign in Poland. The analysis focuses on posts published on CP's official account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The study draws on theoretical frameworks related to the culture of fear (Bauman, Furedi), social systems theory (Luhmann), and Martha Nussbaum’s typology of fear. The primary objective is to identify the thematic focal points and discursive strategies employed to construct perceptions of threat and to articulate representations of the political enemy. The findings demonstrate that CP systematically employed oppositional “us–them” narratives, using fear as a tool for electoral mobilization. The analyzed content was predominantly affective in tone, emphasizing the alleged incompetence, hypocrisy, and systemic destructiveness of the ruling party. Fear was not confined to a single domain of social life but was instead framed as a pervasive and multidimensional phenomenon.
Changes in the forms of communication between local governments and local communities, as exemplified by the social networking site Facebook
Thesis/aim: The aim of the research described in this article is to find out if and how local government units use social networking sites, in this case: the social networking site Facebook, in the process of communicating with local communities. Research methods: A quantitative content analysis was used to realise the objective, the study covered strategic documents of the district starosties of the Lubuskie Voivodeship, the official websites of the above-mentioned starosties and their Facebook fanpage. Results: the first part of the article presents an analysis of the strategic documents in terms of the occurrence of specific keywords in them, extracted from the literature on the subject (Internet, communication, social media, Facebook, informing); the second part of the article is an analysis of the presence of the county starosties on Facebook – the date the fanpage was created, the number of likes, the number of posts posted in the studied period and the number of reactions to them. Conclusions: Local self-government units actively use Facebook in the process of communicating with local communities, however, this does not result from provisions in strategic documents and is not regulated by them.
Chinese cyber espionage: TikTok and Huawei case study
The objective of this article is to comprehensively present the risks associated with Chinese technology companies, such as TikTok and Huawei, in the context of cyberespionage. The analysis aims to raise awareness among the general public and the academic community regarding potential threats resulting from the operations of these companies. The article employs a literature review method and case study of two Chinese companies: TikTok and Huawei. The analysis encompasses a review of available reports, academic articles, and media reports concerning the activities of these entities and the associated risks. The analysis reveals that TikTok, despite claims of independence, may be compelled to transfer user data to Chinese authorities, posing a serious threat to privacy and datasecurity. Furthermore, prolonged usage of TikTok may negatively impact users’ mental health, particularly among younger users. Regarding Huawei, the company is perceived as a crucial component of China’s technological development, raising concerns about the potential use of its infrastructure for intelligence purposes by the Chinese government. The conclusion indicates the necessity of introducing appropriate regulations and data protection policies at the state level, as well as increasing public awareness of the threats linked to Chinese technology firms. It is also recommended to support local technology companies and develop alternative standards to reduce reliance on Chinese products and services.
Analysis of the content and information architecture of websites in public transport travel planning in the context of wayfinding and passenger experience on the examples of London, Amsterdam and Lisbon
Aim: The objective of this study is to analyse the websites of transport organisers in selected European cities and agglomerations (London, Lisbon, Amsterdam) with regard to the information they contain and their usefulness in the travel planning process. The study will also examine selected aspects of user experience. The results were then contrasted with Geert Hofstede's cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance. Research methods: The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the extent to which the hierarchy of information and the content of information published on these sites are contingent on specific cultural avoidance considerations. The selection of cities was undertaken with the objective of representing high, medium and low levels of this variable. In order to achieve the objectives, the method of content analysis and information hierarchy was applied on the basis of the author's observation form. Key results: The conclusion of the study indicates that the Transport for London (UK) website demonstrates the most effective user experience design, though it also exhibits several deficiencies, including performance issues. In contrast, the most intricacies in the information architecture appear on the Metrolisboa (Portugal) website, which are related to, among other things, an inadequate hierarchy of content. The hypothesis that there would be a positive correlation between the cultural dimensions surveys and the self-analyses was not confirmed. However, it was observed that the overall evaluation score is inversely proportional to the aforementioned surveys. This suggests that further analysis on a larger group of sites is warranted. The research is part of a research project entitled: ‘Wayfinding systems in public transport and the cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance - a behavioural and semiotic analysis of selected European cities’, funded under the Miniatura 7 competition by the National Science Center, Poland.