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Father Bogusław Drożdż
The John Paul II Library of the Higher Theological Seminary of Legnica [1]
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The John Paul II Library of the Higher Theological Seminary of Legnica
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This article was translated thanks to the grant received from the Open Society Institute
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It has been the experience of many generations that schools constitute
the foundation for all the structures created by state or
church for purposes of education.
Schools are didactic and educational centres whose smooth function and
successful operation should be of interest to anybody concerned with the
proper development of youth.
It is quite fair to state that every school possesses such a
educational centre, namely, its own library. The John Paul II
Library has a relatively short history, nevertheless, it does have a
good background and successful track record.
Undoubtedly, the 10th anniversary of Legnica Diocese seems to be a good
opportunity to reflect on the Library's history and summerize its
activities.
This article will present, among others, a short history of the
Library's origins which, in turn, is closely connected with origins of
the Legnica Diocese and founding of the Higher Theological Seminary. It will also
present its organisational structure and the brief
characteristics of the book collection. Also, the
Library's goals and prospective development will be briefly
discussed.
John Paul II Library origins and history
The new library history is very firmly embedded in the history of the
city of Legnica.[2] It is an integral part of the Higher Theological Seminary, which
means that its beginnings date back to the time when Bishop of Legnica,
Father Tadeusz Rybak, officiated the opening ceremonies of the Higher
Theological Seminary of Legnica Diocese, on March 25th, 1993.
On the 6th of August of 1993, Bishop Rybak called into existence the
Department of Theology for secular and conventual people at the Higher Theological Seminary
of Legnica Diocese,[3] creating a possibility of getting
theological and philosophical education by secular students and source
of Christian information for secular Catholics.
On March 24, 1994, the Seminary became affiliated with the Pontifical
Faculty of Theology in Wrocław.
After the Higher Theological Seminary had been consecrated, the increased organisational
activity of the Library started.
Initially, the Library was situated on the ground floor of the Seminary,
spreading over the 74 m2, in the building returned to the Church s
authority as a result of the post-communist restitution of real
estate. Under the communist rule, these buildings served as lodgings to
members of various formations of the Red Army stationed in Legnica in
those times, and were badly damaged. Due to the efforts and initiative
of Bishop Rybak and other members of the Diocese, the buildings were
fully restored.
The process of restoration lasted for four years (1993-1997), financed
by the governing bodies of three voivodships: Legnica, Jelenia Góra and
Walbrzych, - all members of Legnica Diocese. The Library was
transferred to the new location in September of 1997.
The person to have become the first chief librarian of the
Library was the Rector of the Higher Theolgical Seminary in Legnica, Father Dr.
Stefan Regmunt, the ex-Vice Rector of the Metropolitan Higher Theological Seminary in
Wrocław. Due to his efforts and care, it was possible to
gather the basic book collection with the theological,
philosophical and humanistic profile this collection gradually became
the core of the new theological and academic life in
Legnica Diocese.
The first Chief Librarian, Father Dr. Stanislaw Araszczuk, contributed
greatly to the development of the Library. Since 1997 the Library
has been under care and management of Father Dr. Boguslaw Drożdż since
1997.
The Library 's book collection was based on book donations from
priests of Legnica Diocese, the Archdiocese of Wrocław, and with great
help of the staff of Metropolitan Theological Seminary Library of Wrocław.
A huge chunk (2,000 volumes) of the Catholic University of Lublin s
Library (of the doubles section) was added to the Library of Legnica
Seminary. Bishops Tadeusz Rybak and Stefan Regmunt also donated many
valuable books. In December of 1997, a very precious book collection
(6.672 volumes) was passed on in the form of bequest of Father Canon
Boleslaw Wasil, the Rector of Ciechanowice.[4] One should also mention a
substantial input of many secular contributors, especially people of
science of the region of Lower Silesia.
Despite difficulties regarding personnel and real estate, the book
collection was made available to students right from the start. In
1995, it consisted of 35,000 volumes on the subjects of theology,
philosophy, and liberal arts (represented by history, and
social-psychological sciences). Space assigned for library
purposes served as main reading room and periodicals reading room.
In 1995, the Library became member of FIDES (The Federation of Church
Libraries).
Another important step towards further development of the Library was
the acquisition of MAK program at the National Library in Warsaw. In
September of 1996, computerised cataloguing of books started, initially,
with the use of only two computers.
A very special moment in the history of John Paul II Library was the
inauguration and consecration of new library rooms, celebrated by Bishop
of Legnica, Father Tadeusz Rybak, along with an unveiling of a
commemorative plaque.[5] This ceremony took place in June of 1998, on the
first anniversary of His Holiness, Pope's John Paul II visit at the
Legnica Diocese.
Since May 4th, 1998, the Library has been connected to the Internet.
In the beginning of March 2002, the Library had 29,436 catalogued
volumes in its possession, and subscribed to 74 magazines (additional
154 titles were donated to the Library without subscription).
Another 199 titles are either purchased or sent to the Library on
occassion (sporadically). The number of old prints remains unchanged
and amounts to 715. Recent book donors are: Bishop Tadeusz Rybak (456
volumes), Father Kazimierz Adamczuk (1,144 volumes), Antoni Bojakowski
(3,571 volumes), Father Zygmunt Herbut (668) and others.[6]
On the 24th of October, 2001, the Library manager and Head Librarian
was awarded a medal of distinction and the title Amicus Librorum by
the Chapter of Legnica Public Library on the 55th anniversary of its
foundation.
The director of Legnica Public Library, Mr. Ryszard Badań, wrote in his
congratulatory letter: We wish to extend our thanks to all our friends
and sponsors and donors for their friendship and generous support in all
our endeavours. Let the awarded title be an expression of out
gratitude, respect and thanks.
Organisation and real estate structure of the Library
The Library is situated on four floors of the adapted building connected
to the Seminary. It does have, however, a separate entrance to all
utility areas, also serving as entrance for the readers.
The walls of the main hall (ground floor) serve as exhibition space for
theme expositions related to important persons and events of the Church,
e.g. John Paul II, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, Reverend Father Pio. 76th
anniversary of the Battle of Legnica, Diecezjalny Kongres Osób Niepełnosprawnych (Diocese Congress of Persons with
Disabilities), anniversaries of the foundation of Legnica Diocese had
been mentioned.
In regard to the needs of people with disabilities, in the near future,
the installation of the lifts will be carried out at the Library.
Undoubtedly, a very important organisational feature of contemporary
libraries is their computerisation. The Library of John Paul II
infrastructure has been planned and adapted to the requirements of the
computerisation right from the start, thereby well prepared for the
implementation of computer network interfacing all vital operational
library elements.
As mentioned before, the Library of John Paul II has been present on the
Internet since 4th of May, 1998, under the address:
http://www.wsd.legnica.opoka.org.pl/. This page also offers a
regularly updated library database. The Library's e-mail address is as
follows: biblioteka_legnica@legnica.opoka.org.pl.
A description of the Library's book collection
In order to generally characterise the Library's book collection, one
needs to introduce a classification, based on two criteria:
- a physical (formal) criterion relates to classification of books in
storage
- a material (subject/content) criterion is the real indicator of the
collection's classification.
The second criterion can be defined as virtual as it is
shaped according to the actual technical requirements of
the staff and in compliance with general principles of library science.
This criterion can be observed during user activity.
The most important and significant criterion, however, is the one of
particular scientific fields. All library
items are classified according to this criterion.
The scientific fields have their equivalents in subject catalogue. The
description and presentation of these fields seem to be right
characteristics of the Library's book collection. Taking into
consideration the fact that the Library of the Seminary can be regarded
as a specialised one, one needs to define its profile.
This library's unique profile and specialisation distinguishes it from
other public or private libraries, either general or specialised.
The Library of John Paul II gathers, processes and shares information,
first and foremost, on the subjects of theology and philosophy. This
choice is a natural consequence of the Seminary profile.
One also can find in this library, -beside books on theological and
philosophical sciences- some information about liberal arts. This
material is also of importance, however secondary, to the mainstream
information provided.
The books on theology available at the Library are grouped into
three major theological fields:
- historical theology (positive) comprising compact (locked) prints,
collective works and plentiful periodical articles regarding
biblical studies, patrology, the history of the Church, the history of
dogmas and history of theology
- systematic theology represented by texts about dogmatic (dogma)
theology, moral theology, ascetic and mystic theology
- pastoral theology regarding theological legacy of homiletics,
catechism, missions, theology od love, liturgy, practical theology and
law of the Church.
A slightly uneven distribution of the information comprised in the three
fields can be noted. This is due to minor shortcomings of the process
of gathering and processing of material which depends on the regularity
of the flow of books into the Library, as well as on certain time
limitations related to the process of bibliographical data input into
main computer database.
The Library's main task, besides processing information related to
theology, is dealing with philosophical issues. This Library's book
collection can be of great service and use to those who want to deepen
their knowledge of philosophical sciences. Not only the works of great
philosophers can be found at the Library, along with commentaries, but
also dissertations, articles and reviews regarding issues pertinent to
contemporary philosophy.
While enumerating the philosophical fields[8] covered by material gathered
at the Library, one can take note of two sub-fields: the theoretical and
practical philosophy. Within the field of theoretical philosophy, the
Library has works on cognitive philosophy, methodology, logic,
existential philosophy, metaphysics, theodicy, philosophical
anthropology and cosmology.
The second sub-field practical philosophy is covered by works about
ethics, the philosophy of law (within the framework of the so-called
procedural philosophy), aesthetic, philosophy of action (within the
framework of the so-called philosophy of production).
While analysing the field of liberal sciences, one should mention some
smaller print collections, which are regularly updated with new
titles. These are general history (including all historical periods)
and sociology (with aspects of feudalism, capitalism, imperialism,
fascism, racism, socialism and communism).
The sociology collection includes such issues as: state, international
politics, various sociological issues and political economy.
Considering the Church's evangelical mission with respect to people and
the world, one of the Library's tasks is to gather
literature whose context facilitates better understanding and knowledge
of humans and their environment. Therefore, one can find literature on
psychology (especially developmental and cognitive), psychiatry, the
science of sex and pastoral psychology. There are also books on
didactics and pedagogy.
The fields of ethnology, linguistics, literature, music, arts, politics
and law are also represented.
Encyclopaedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, biographies, general and
specialised periodicals, publishing series, schematisms of
various dioceses, liturgical calendars, informative brochures (both
church and secular), popular, scientific, and tourist -form a separate
and specialised collection of the Library.
Especially valuable part of the Library's content (not yet catalogued,
therefore, not accessible to readers) is a collection of books and old
prints (715 items, published before 1800) from before 1945. This
collection includes prints in Polish, German, Latin, French, Italian,
and other languages.
The Library also possesses such specialised items as: valuable
manuscripts, musical scores, maps and graphics. Also, collections of
medals, photocopies, films, musical tapes and microfilms are
available.
There are also a few thousand double copies of books serving the
purposes of inter-library exchange.
A poll, conducted at the Library in the academic year 1999/2000, and
involving the library staff, proved to be an important and interesting
experience within the context of the book collection characteristics.[9]
113 readers were polled 63 secular theology students, 27 people with
professional profiles not related to the Seminary, and 23 clerics.[10] All
respondents were asked 40 questions regarding their reading
habits and to give an evaluation of the
Library's book collection within the context of their user needs.
The questions were divided into five groups and formulated so as to
address the following issues:
- the socio-demographic aspects of polled readers,
- the actual shape of readership among the polled people,
- the information about researched literature,
- the existing correlation between the Library's scientific profile
and actual, theological and philosophical interests of readers,
- the readers opinions about the Library.[11]
The results of the poll confirmed the hypothesis about the
concordance of the Library's proposed choice of
philosophical/theological/humanistic literature with the expectations of
polled readers. Despite a few critical remarks concerning some
procedural issues, the John Paul II Library received favourable
reviews. A similar poll, possibly conducted in a few years time, would
undoubtedly make for a very interesting comparison.
The prospects
This Library's successful future and operation depends on outside
conditions and influences, as well as the possibilities created within
the library on its human and material resources. There are many
challenges awaiting the Library (among others, a creation of new, badly
needed reading room) and one of them is particularly urging. The
Library needs to enter into close co-operation with other libraries
through the use of Internet. It seems necessary to join in and start
participating in the creation of new, and vast virtual library, as such
type of co-operation is bound to alter and improve the way the
information is processed and passed on by libraries.
Evidently, every library wishes for the readers to flock into its rooms
and use the offered material to the fullest. Book-reading people and
their presence in libraries guarantee further development of those
crucially important cultural and scientific institutions.
John Paul II Library has a lot to offer in this respect, and therein
lies the hope for its successful activity in the future.
Footnotes
[1] The above presentation is an updated version of previously written article, created with the collaboration of A. Lichota and published in
the book, At the doorstep of the third millennium. Theological
reflection about Legnica and its society.
[2] For centuries, the city of Legnica aspired to the status of an
academic centre. It was this city that Fryderyk II, the Duke of Legnica
(1480-1547) chose to be a university centre with three faculties:
philosophical, legal and theological. 24 professors, at Fryderyk's II
invitation, came to Legnica to prepare ground for the new academy. Even
though it lasted a few years only, the University of Legnica
made the city to be one of the more significant cultural centres in the
Silesia region. In 1548, a library was opened, established by Fryderyk
III. In 1575, due to the efforts of Pastor Krentzenheim, the library s
book collection was placed in its permanent site- on the choir of Peter
and Paul Church. In 1657, he library had in its possession 558 volumes
of old prints and manuscripts.
The Piast prince, Jerzy Rudolf (died in 1653), contributed greatly to
the increase in number of books at city of Legnica's disposal. The
renowned Rudolfina library bears the Prince's name, as he fully
sponsored its foundation. In the second part of XVII century two
schools (Peter and Paul's and the one founded by Jerzy Rudolf) were
amalgamated into one unit which led to combining of the two libraries
and their collections. This integration was to bear fruit in the
future, in the form of the establishment of the Knights Academy in
Legnica.
At present, Legnica is a well-developed scientific centre, with a large
number of academic centres to attest. The city is yet to become a
university centre, but it may happen fairly soon. Apart from the Higher Theological
Seminary of Legnica Diocese and the Faculty of Theology of the
Pontifical Faculty of Theology of Wrocław for secular people, there are
five other academic centres in Legnica. These are: the branch of
Wrocław University of Technology, Teachers College of Foreign Languages, the Academy
of Management, the Academy of Managers and the Vocational Academy.
See: J. Swastek. Starania i próby założenia uczelni akademickiej na
Śląsku na przestrzeni XVI-XVIII wieku. "Colloquium Salutis" 6:1974 p.
104; J. Gilewska-Dubis. Miasto ośrodkiem kultury umysłowej. In: Legnica.
Monografia historyczna miasta. Ed. by M. Haisig.
Wrocław - Warsaw - Cracow - Gdańsk 1977 s. 75; J. Sowiński. Udział
dawnego drukarstwa w życiu społecznym i kulturalnym na przykładzie
Legnicy. In: Przeszłość i przyszłość książki drukowanej. Materiały z
sesji. Legnica - 8 lutego 2001 r. Ed. by R. Badań.
Legnica 2001 p. 28-31; K. Jaworska. Legnica jako ośrodek naukowy -
tradycje i współczesność. Legnica 1999 p. 19-21. K. Popiołek. Historia
śląska od pradziejów do 1945 roku. Katowice 1972 p. 83; K. Matwijowski.
Reformacja. Szkolnictwo. Kultura.
In: Legnica. Zarys monografii miasta. Ed. by S. Dąbrowski. Wrocław -
Legnica 1998 s. 150, 158. As a description of cloister library see: Z. LEC. Jeziuci w Legnicy (1689-1776). Wrocław 2001 p.203-212.
[3] Bishop T.Rybak. Dekret ustanawiający Studium Teologii dla świeckich przy Wyższym Seminarium Duchownym Diecezji Legnickiej - Filii Papieskiego Fakultetu Teologicznego we Wrocławiu. In: W.Bochnak. Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne Diecezji Legnickiej. Legnica 1997, p.80.
[4] To honour such a great bibliophile and donor- a special,
commemorative seal was produced, later stamped in every donated book.
The inscription on the seal reads: The gift of heart of Father Canon
Boleslaw Wasil for the Library of the Seminary of Legnica Diocese.
[5] A commemorative plaque placed in the Library's hall bears an
inscription: On the 2nd of June, 1998, on the first anniversary of the
Papal visit at the Seminary, the Bishop of Legnica, Tadeusz Rybak,
celebrated the opening ceremonies and consecrated the Library of the
Seminary . The same inscription was placed in the chronicle of the John
Paul II Library, co-signed by Bishops, Rybak and Regmunt, Father
Bochniak, Father Lisowski, Father Rzodkiewicz and the Library's Head,
Father Drożdż.
[6] Bishop Stefan Regmunt, father Józef Lisowski, father Dominik Drapiewski, father
Bogusław Drożdż, father Władysław Dzięgiel, father Edward Franczak,
Józef Frąc, father Tadeusz Jaworski, Stanisław A. Jujeczka,
father Marek Korgul, father Stanisław Kusik, father Stanisław Majchrzak, father Janusz
Michalewski, father Marek Mendyk, father Piotr Nowosielski, father Leopold
Rzodkiewicz, Leonard Michalak, Wanda Pasternak, Maria Przestasz,
fahter Władysław Rączka, father Tadeusz Reroń, father Tadeusz Szczepaniak,
father Ryszard Trzósło, Wanda Zielińska.
[7] See: S. C. Napiórkowski. Jak uprawiać teologię. Wrocław 1991 p.
77-81. See also: J. Majka. Metodologia nauk
teologicznych. Wrocław 1981 p. 177-216; S. Kamiński. Pojęcie nauki
i klasyfikacja nauk. Lublin 1981 p. 286-290.
[8] Kamiński, ibidem, p. 277-286. See: A. B. Stępień. Elementy
filozofii. Lublin 1986 p. 55-93.
[9] At the science seminar, on the subject of didactics and Polish
language, at the University of
Zielona Góra.
[10] See: A. Lichota. Biblioteka im. Jana Pawła II Wyższego
Seminarium Duchownego Diecezji Legnickiej i jej czytelnicy. Zielona Góra 2000 (mps).
[11] Ibidem. p. 43.
Translated by Dorota Jaglarz
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