Publishing of the Slavonic Library

Sbírka dokumentů k dějinám Slovanské knihovny (1924–2024): inventář / Jan Hanousek

• The Collection of Documents on the History of the Slavonic Library (1924–2024) – The Inventory / Jan Hanousek

1st ed. – Prague, 2024 – 292 p. – (Bibliografie Slovanské knihovny ; 86) – ISBN 978-80-7050-814-5

This publication contains the catalogue of the collection of documents on the history of the Slavonic Library (Prague), a specialised research library focused on Slavic studies. This collection has been built up continuously since the foundation of the library in 1924, and it consists of a colourful mosaic of different types of documents. This collection contains the primary sources for the history of the Slavonic Library for the entire period of its existence. It supplements the archival documents on the library’s activities stored mainly in the Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Archives (both in Prague).

It contains annual reports, personnel files and other documents relating to the management and operation of the library, as well as documents relating to the building of the library collection, cataloguing, services, and bibliographic and editorial activities. In addition, it also includes an extensive collection of photographs covering almost the entire period of the library’s existence and a number of other interesting individual documents illustrating daily life in the library.

The present inventory is intended to make it easier for researchers to navigate the collection and to make deeper use of its richness. It is published on the occasion of the centenary of the Slavonic Library.

Price: 150,- CZK

Further information (PDF)

Slovanská knihovna v tisku a dalších médiích: bibliografie za léta 1979–2023 / sestavila Tereza Rejdová

• The Slavonic Library in the Press and Other Media: Bibliography 1979–2023 / edited by Tereza Rejdová

1st ed. – Prague, 2024 – 259 p. – (Bibliografie Slovanské knihovny; 85) – ISBN 978-80-7050-809-1

The Bibliography provides information on the materials devoted to the Slavonic Library (Prague) that were published in 1979–2023. It contains records of books, studies, short articles, interviews, reviews and reports concerning the activities of the library that appeared in the press (newspapers, magazines, anthologies and individual publications) as well as other media (internet, radio, television).

The book is divided into sections on the library itself (its activities, history and collections), followed by reactions to its publications, exhibitions, and cultural and professional events, as well as texts on the people associated with the library. The bibliography contains more than 2,700 entries, many of which are accompanied by links to digital versions of the articles.

The volume is a loose continuation of the bibliography Slovanská knihovna a slavistika [The Slavonic Library and Slavic Studies], which came out in 1979 and included a catalogue of publications about the library from its establishment in 1924 until 1979 and a bibliography of its employees.

Price: 275,- CZK

Further information (PDF)
Distribution of the book is provided, besides the Slavonic Library, by online bookshop Kosmas.cz.

Jaroslav Bidlo (1868–1937) a Milada Paulová (1891–1970): bibliografie publikovaných prací / sestavili a úvodní studie napsali Jan Boháček, Daniela Brádlerová, Marek Ďurčanský, Jiřina Urbanová

• Jaroslav Bidlo (1868–1937) a Milada Paulová (1891–1970): A Bibliographies of Published Works / compiled and edited by Jan Boháček, Daniela Brádlerová, Marek Ďurčanský, Jiřina Urbanová

1st ed. – Prague, 2024 – 142 p. – (Bibliografie Slovanské knihovny; 84) – ISBN 978-80-7050-782-7

Jaroslav Bidlo (1868–1937) and Milada Paulová (1891–1970) are two of the founding figures of Czech historical Slavic studies. Their contribution to the knowledge of the history of Eastern and Central Eastern Europe has not yet been fully appreciated. More systematic research on their works has mainly focused on monographs. However, the bibliography compiled shows that they were also authors of shorter pieces, including intensive reviewing, journalism, or the writing of encyclopaedic entries. In addition, many of their texts were published in periodicals that are hardly available and little known now.

Personal bibliographies are supplemented by studies placing the work of both figures in the context of their lives and professional careers. In both cases, these were mainly connected with Charles University in Prague, but they also included activities in scientific societies, especially the Institute of Slavonic Studies and the Royal Bohemian Society of Sciences. Moreover, the bibliographies clearly show a major involvement of the personalities in the creation of the content of some scientific periodicals (Český časopis historický [Czech Historical Review], Časopis Matice moravské [Journal of the Moravian Foundation]) or directly in their editing (Časopis Národního muzea [Journal of the National Museum], Byzantinoslavica).

Price: 290,- CZK

Further information (PDF)

Slovanská knihovna 1924–2024: (Průvodce po dějinách, fondech a službách) = The Slavonic Library, Prague 1924–2024: (A Guide to its History, Funds and Services) / Lukáš Babka

1st ed. – Prague, 2023 – 333 p. (Publikace Slovanské knihovny; 88) – ISBN 978-80-7050-792-6

The Slavonic Library in Prague was founded in 1924 by the Czechoslovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This library was tasked with two main goals: (a) creating the informational foundations for the newly established Institute of Slavonic Studies, and (b) collecting and making accessible documents for the diaspora from the Russian Empire. Many of these refugees, with different nationalities, found refuge in Czechoslovakia after 1918. The Slavonic Library since 1958 has been part of, what is today, the National Library of the Czech Republic. Thanks to the size and composition of its collections, the Slavonic Library is an internationally recognized centre of Slavic studies.

This book provides a detailed description of the history of the Slavonic Library over the last century. It introduces the reader to the libraryʼs collections, how they were created, and gives insights into the most valuable documents in the library. In addition to providing the usual information about those departments dealing with books, journals, and newspapers this monograph also highlights the Slavonic Libraryʼs unique historical, manuscript, and cartographic collections. Information about emigration from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, after 1917 is presented in a separate chapter. This is because on this migration topic the Slavonic Libraryʼs collection is of global importance. In addition, this volume also presents the libraryʼs special collections that include unique archives of documentary, visual, artistic, photographic, and numismatic materials.

Finally, this book provides an overview of the range of services provided by the Slavonic Library with practical information about the libraryʼs operations that will be welcomed by anyone interested in studying and using the Slavonic Libraryʼs services.

This book was published to mark the centenary of the libraryʼs foundation.

Price: 350,- CZK
Distribution of the book is provided, besides the Slavonic Library, by online bookshop Kosmas.cz.

Katalog starých ruských tisků z fondů Slovanské knihovny tištěných azbukou. Díl IV. Knihy (1796–1800), ruská periodika 18. století / Sestavily Olga Leshkova a Rita Lyons Kindlerová

• Catalogue of Russian Early Printed Books from the Slavonic Library Collections Printed in the Cyrillic. 4th Volume. Books (1795–1800), Russian Periodicals Produced in the 18th Century / edited by Olga Leshkova a Rita Lyons Kindlerová

1st ed - Prague, 2023. - 549 p. - (Bibliografie Slovanské knihovny; 83) - ISBN 978-80-7050-784-1

The fourth (final) volume of the Russian early printed books catalogue is derived from Slavonic Library’s collection of books printed in Cyrillic. Specifically, this volume contains information about books published in Russia in the final years of the 18th century (1796–1800). This period, roughly corresponding to the reign of Tsar Paul I (1796–1801), was very unfavourable for printing, the book trade, and written and literary production. This was due to the introduction of strict censorship and a system of state control over literature. This era culminated in a complete ban on importing books and periodicals into Russia and a prohibition on the operation of private printing houses.

This fourth volume begins with a scientific study of materials from the A.F. Smirdin collection housed in the Slavonic Library, Prague. This introductory study examines problems associated with book printing, the book trade, and publishing in Russia between 1796 and 1800. The study also outlines the legacy of A. F. Smirdin (1795–1857): a prominent Russian bookseller, publisher, bibliographer and bibliophile.

In addition to a bibliography of 216 titles for the 1796–1800 period, the fourth volume of this catalogue also contains an inventory of Russian periodicals produced in the 18th century that currently form part of the collections of the Slavonic Library (46 titles), visual supplements and a summary index of all four published volumes.

Price: 230,- CZK

Further information – in Czech, English and Russian (PDF)