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The National Széchényi Library The National Széchényi Library celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2002. Its core mission is to collect, preserve and deliver to users documents that form part of Hungarian cultural heritage. The library has the largest collection of prints and books published before 1711 in the country. Some of the oldest complete texts in the Hungarian language, such as the codices incorporating the Funeral Sermon and Prayer (end of 12th century) and the Old Hungarian Laments of Mary (13th century) are held here, together with 32 “corvinae” from the library of King Matthias. The collection includes other historical treasures, like the ‘Chronica Hungarorum’, the first printed book in Hungary, published in 1473, and a great number of manuscripts of masterpieces of Hungarian literature. The Hungarian Library Institute The Hungarian Library Institute – which is the national authority of public libraries – is included within the organisational structure of the National Széchényi Library, but managed by the Library Department of the Ministry of Education and Culture. Its mission is to provide services to assist the efficient operation of the library system. Some of its tasks are:
The National Library Board The National Library Board was set up in 1999 as a consultative committee overseeing matters related to the functioning and strategic development of the library field. It consists of 9 members who are elected for a four-year period. The Board also observes and gives its opinion on the development and financing of the activities carried out by the National Széchényi Library and the Hungarian Library Institute, according to their charters under the Library Act. The Board reports to the Minister for Education and Culture. Academic libraries The number of Hungarian university and college libraries – state-funded and private – exceeded 200 in 2005. Most operate as “libraries open to all users” and all university libraries are members of the National Document Delivery System. Special libraries Special libraries develop collections in specific scientific areas. They show great variety as far as their supporting authorities, history, collection and user groups are concerned. Among them are the libraries of state-funded research institutes, the Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the Hungarian Parliamentary Library, corporate libraries, museum libraries, the medical libraries of state hospitals and the libraries of non-profit institutions. There were more than 370 special libraries in 2005 and over 80 of them have obtained the status of “libraries open to all users”. Nine special libraries collect literature on a national level: these libraries participate in the National Document Delivery System and provide records for the Hungarian National Shared Catalogue. They are also in charge of providing national subject-specific bibliographies, thematic databases, subject-specific reviews, translations and studies. Public libraries All local governments are bound to provide library services to their citizens. County and municipal authorities are obliged by law to operate a public library, while smaller communities can choose to run a library – on their own or in partnership with others – or order library services via the Service System for Rural Areas. School libraries There are nearly 4,000 school libraries in Hungary. The conditions of their operation, their collection and their tasks are defined by their respective educational institutions. School libraries provide statistics to and are professionally coordinated by the National Pedagogical Library and Museum. In 1995, the National Curriculum introduced the teaching of library skills as a compulsory subject.
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Town Library, Gödöllő |
Town Library, Hőgyész, reading room |
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