Concepts of Public Librarianship in the Early Volumes of the Journal 'Česka Osvěta'

Abstract

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.