Art. 1: Ludwik Grzebień SI, Andrzej Paweł Bieś SI
The Society of Jesu Scientific Library and its collection.

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The Jesuits have always valued and emphasized the importance of libraries and professional literature. The libraries of the Jesuits in Poland have always been appreciated for their exceptional books and periodicals in specialized topics. The existing Jesuit Library in Cracow was founded in 1872. It was established as the provisional support for the Printing House of The Apostolate of Prayer (WAM). The facility was recognized as the most significant to Jesuits who wro-te books, Thesis and periodicals. The collection of books at the Cracow facility grew significantly in 1926 after the Faculty of Philosophy of the Society of Jesus had relocated from Nowy Sacz. With the move came the transfer of all valued Philosophy books stored on its previous site. Then, the Library acquired the Collection of Rare Books with more than 20,000 titles, now stored separately. A categorized group of microfilms and an anthology of photocopies of various documents relating to the history of the Jesuits can be found here, and most importantly, the history of the Jesuit education. These Documents constitute a cu-mulative compilation of various Polish and foreign archives. In 1990, the Jesuit Library moved from its present location into a newly construc-ted buil-ding on 26 Kopernika Street in Cracow. Southern German Province of the Society of Jesus assisted financially with this move. Presently, the Library contains more than 370,000 volumes and in excess of 525 titled domestic and foreign periodicals. It serves as the database and scientific center for the Ignatianum School of Philosophy and Education http://www.jezuici.krakow.pl/ignatianum/w2.htm There is a temporary reading room serving more than 40 clients at a time. They can help themselves to the library contents on a daily basis.

Art. 2: Father Jerzy Witczak ,
The Library of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wrocław - the tradition and the future.

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The article presents the history of the Library of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wroclaw. This faculty functions as an independent university led by the Catholic Church and continues, in a way, a tradition of a pre-war faculty of theology of the University of Wroclaw. The Library was founded in 1947 and, in the beginning, was serving the needs of the students of the Catholic University exclusively, later opening its doors to students of other faculties. Since 1989 the library has operated as an open theological/university library. At present, the number of volumes reaches up to 156,000 and the library serves about 850 regular users yearly. This library is fully computerized and its catalog is available on line.

Art. 3: Maria Łabyk,
Can the Academy exist without a specialised library?

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The Christian Theological academy is an ecumenical theological university. One of the key ingredients of its very existence is well-organised and smoothly functioning library run by highly qualified librarians. The school educates students in the field of theology and pedagogy producing both spiritual and secular workers destined for Christian churches. They are to work at educational institutions, and state and local administration. The academy is the sole ecumenical university in Europe educating representatives of many different denominations. There are people representing Christian tradition of Protestantism, Old Catholicism and the Orthodox Church. The library boasts a great collection of theological and ecumenical books (over 37000 vol. and 4941 newspapers). The library is fully computerised, prepared to work in MAK system and is compatible with other computerised university libraries in Poland. For the last 50 years the library has served both students and academics assisting in the didactic process. The special character of the collection of books is of particular interest to many readers outside the Academy.

Art. 4: Bogumiła Warząchowska,
The old library of the new faculty of the University of Silesia.

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The author discussess issues regarding the genesis of the Theological Library (2001) created along with the newly opened theological faculty of the Silesian University. As peer agreement between the University of Slask and the diocesan chancery the library of the clerical faculty was transformed into the Theological Library with the diocese remaining as sole proprietor of the entire collection of books. Initially, the efforts of the library staff focused on adequate organisation of one of the main sections the customer service, with special interest directed to readers and catalogs. This section functioned in a very limited capacity before the facility changed hands. Other library divisions were created, namely, the reference section (encyclopaedias, dictionaries, bibliographies) and a section dedicated to theological science. The new library s cataloging system received a full electronic makeover a MAK computer package and new computer workstations. Various exhibitions, presentations of novelties and new library trends are a very important factor within the scope of the new library s scientific activities. In the matter of months, the Theological Library has become a very important educational element within the academic community and the society of the Silesian region.