Libraries in Lower Silesia, their organisation and activities in the years 1945-1956 in the light of the resources of the Silesian-Lusatian Collection of the Wrocław University Library

Abstract

This text is an attempt to supplement the information on the organisation and activity of libraries launched in Lower Silesia in the years 1945-1956. The analysis is based on a study of sources from the Silesian-Lusatian Collection of the UWL. The collection includes original leaflets and occasional prints, such as placards, proclamations, leaflets, and appeals, all of which contain data on Lower Silesian libraries, their start-up, functioning, dissemination of information on the work of the libraries, and cooperation with other institutions or social organisations. Bibliographic and content analysis methods were used to carry out the research. The results obtained confirm the fact that libraries organised from scratch in Lower Silesia used certain types of leaflet prints as communication and information tools. Based on data from the content of the documents, it is possible to study the activity of libraries which, for various reasons including socio-economic, ideological, and political, were restricted and could not reach the full potential needed by the community settling in Lower Silesia. The Silesian-Lusatian collection stored at BUWr needs to be further searched, as the prints found are only a small fragment of it.