The article contains information on the history of the establishment of the National Library, founded by Józef Maksymilian Ossoliński. The history of the Library's location in Lviv is outlined, as well as the financial issues related to the running of the facility. The Library's collections and its goals are described in general terms. (Source: Tygodnik Illustrowany, Warsaw 1860, T:1, pp. 117-118., after: Digital Library of the University of Łódź).

A modernised reading of the text

The Ossoliński National Library in Lviv.

This magnificent monument to the civic zeal of one of the most distinguished men in Polish literature owes its foundation and existence to the late Józef Maksymilian Ossoliński, who devoted his entire life and possessions to the only idea that, having amassed at great expense an excellent collection of scientific treasures, he could devote it to the use and welfare of the general public. He did indeed make a great contribution to literature with the scholarly research he left behind in his works; but an even greater reminder is this gift, which bequeaths his name to a grateful posterity for centuries to come.

The beginnings of this collection date back to 1790 - for it was then that Ossoliński began to be known throughout the country as a particular lover of Polish books, collecting everything that could multiply and enrich his library, who neglected no opportunity, spared no effort and cost, just to acquire and possess a bibliographical rarity - a task made all the more difficult at the time by the fact that there were other lovers who, following the same path, applied for similar monuments. nThis way, Ossoliński formed a substantial library, which was to consist exclusively of Polish and Slavonic works. To date, it is the most abundant in these branches.

However, with time, his zealous efforts to expand public enlightenment gave greater scope to this intention; he collected works, engravings, medals, maps not only of domestic but also foreign literature. He originally wanted to place his library at the Zamojska Academy, and had already made an agreement with the late Ordynat Zamojski in 1804, but when the borders of Galicia changed, he chose Lviv to house his collection. The Austrian Emperor Franz I readily agreed to this project in 1809, and when Ossoliński drew up a separate law to ensure the preservation and existence of the library, the same emperor approved it and took the institution under his protection in a privilege of 4 June 1817.

Having arrived in Lviv in the same year, he bought the ruins of a Carmelite convent that had been burned down, and on this site, at his own expense, began the construction of a library building, according to Count Nobile's plans, which the following woodcut depicts, completed and appropriately modified in later years. Wishing to ensure the permanent existence of his institution, he incorporated the estates of Wola Mielecka, Piatkowiec, Zgórsko and others in the Tarnów district, and Strzelce and Widow in the Bocheń district, into the library, and assigned the income therefrom, as stipulated by law, to the needs of the library, and placed them under the special protection of the national state. Subsequently, in 1823, by virtue of a treaty concluded with Duke Lubomirski, he based the aforementioned library fund on the Priory Majorate and entrusted the curatorship of the literary section to the Duke and his descendants.

The prince attached part of his collection of books, medals, paintings and antiquities to this institution, and thus established a museum under the name of "Musaeum Lubomirscianum". Further on, Ossoliński devised a perpetual fund for three scholars, to whom the duties of librarian, custodian and scribe were to be entrusted, and finally he appointed financial allowances for three apprentices who, by looking after schools and the library, would become useful to the community. Such a great national service also found general appreciation.

The citizens of Galicia, gathered at the Diet of 1822, decided to mint a medal for Ossoliński, depicting on one side the bust of the library's founder with the inscription:

"Josephus Maximilianus Comes de Terszyn Ossoliński, supremus Regni Mareschalcus, Ordinis S. Stephani Commendator",

and on the reverse the façade of the library, with the inscription at the top: "Musis Patriis", while at the bottom: "Bibliotheca publica, fundata Leopoli A. D. 1817".

Having done so much for the good of his institution, having collected so many treasures, he did not have the consolation that he would live to see the final fulfilment of his intentions and see the project completed, as he lost his sight a few years before his death and died in Vienna on 17 March 1826. The library was finally transported from Vienna to Lviv in 1827, and contained a total of 22,798 works, not including manuscripts, engravings, maps and numismatic items.

This number multiplied considerably over time, especially when it was augmented by outstanding donations, contributions and bequests from the country's citizens and states keen on the welfare of science. Today, the establishment is left in the direct care of these states and aims to: 1) To collect and preserve books, manuscripts, diplomats, autographs, coins, paintings, drawings and other art, minerals and antiquities, especially Polish. 2) To print and publish old manuscripts and more recent major works in its own printing house. 3) To promote education through a constantly open reading room. 4) Provide financial support for young people who are poor and dedicated to their studies. The endowment or endowment fund of the foundation consists of the above-mentioned property and various capitals, all together amounting to 385,170 zloty. 40 National Coins, or about 1.5 million zloty.

The annual income, according to the last report, was 13,342 zl. 50 Krecars in convention coin, i.e. more than zlp. 50,000. The deputy scientific curator is now Maurycy count Dzieduszycki, councillor of the Lviv governorate. The deputy economic curator (minor Antoni Broniewski) is Koman Broniewski, resident in Zgórsk, Tarnów district. The postcreditis defenders are: Józef Piasecki and Feliks Pohorecki, members of the Galician states. The place of the director of the library is vacant; he is replaced by the custodian, who is the well-known writer and poet, August Bielowski, a member of the Cracow Scientific Society, the Imperial Library of St. Petersburg and the Vilnius Archaeological Commission.

The place of deputy custodian is not filled. The scribes and archivists are: Julian Aleksander Kaminski and Jerzy Dunin. Doctor of law Marcelli Tarnowiecki, a national lawyer, holds the office of trustee of the establishment. The lower service consists of 3 sworn apprentice grantees, 2 ushers, 1 doorkeeper and 2 watchmen. The library currently contains 48,597 works in 80,350 volumes, 1,382 manuscripts, 5,334 engravings and drawings, 319 maps and atlases, 354 paintings, 178 diplomas, 344 objects belonging to antiquities or the museum, 2,158 autographs, 10,595 coins and medals, 1,140 minerals and about 800 shells. There are now 3 scholarships for poor young people.

Each amounts to 200 zlotys per year in convention coin (about 800 zlotys). Up to now, the spirit and memory of Ossoliński's merit watch over the upkeep of this establishment, which is also a legacy for posterity, and the love of the country, public gratitude and the zeal of officials make every effort to multiply and add splendour to it.