Chełmska Biblioteka Publiczna
Chełmska Biblioteka Publiczna is the public library of Chełm, Poland, named after Maria Paulina Orsetti and serving the city and Chełm County.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
Chełmska Biblioteka Publiczna im. Marii Pauliny Orsetti w Chełmie is the public library of Chełm, Poland. It provides library services to the city's residents, supporting reading and information needs, the dissemination of knowledge and science, and the development of culture in Chełm and Chełm County. The institution traces its origins to 1906, when a local circle of the Polish Educational Society (Polska Macierz Szkolna) was formed to promote reading; the initiative was led by Maria Paulina Orsetti, who later became the library's patron. After the tsarist authorities closed the library in 1907, it operated covertly. By 1916 it held about 800 volumes and served roughly 220 readers. In 1920 a municipal library was established in place of the earlier library, taking over the collections of the former Polish Educational Society circle. It received about 2,000 volumes from the Ministry of Religious Denominations and Public Enlightenment, and in 1923 it was named after the then-serving president of Poland, Stanisław Wojciechowski, and was granted 15 million Polish marks for its development. On the eve of World War II the collection numbered about 5,000 volumes and served about 500 readers. Wartime destruction and closure reduced the post-war collection to about 500 titles, mainly belles-lettres. The library rebuilt in the following years, aided in 1947 by a grant of 70,000 złoty from the Chief Directorate of Libraries for acquisitions and maintenance. By 1960 it held 30,000 items and served 3,000 readers, and at its peak it operated nine branches in Chełm. In 1964 the library moved to the new building of the Powiat Culture House in Chełm. In 1975, adapting to a new administrative division, it was merged with the Powiat Public Library to form the Wojewódzka Biblioteka Publiczna (Voivodeship Public Library), which in 1999 was transformed into Chełmska Biblioteka Publiczna. On 14 June 2008, during a ceremonial session of the City Council, the library was named after Maria Paulina Orsetti. Over its history the library occupied various locations: during World War I at 76 Lubelska Street, from 1920 at 69 Lubelska Street, from 1964 at the Powiat Culture House at 1 Tysiąclecia Square. In 1980 the concept for the current library building was adopted; the cornerstone was laid on 28 September 1984. The chief architect was Wiesław Nowakowski, with Dr. Jerzy Maj of the National Library as subject consultant. The total construction cost was estimated at 296 million złoty in 1984, and by the end of that year the Fund for the 40th Anniversary Deed, which financed the construction, held 326 million złoty. Economic crisis, high inflation, and technical problems meant the funds were insufficient to complete the building, and work slowed. The first part of the building was used from late 1996, with further parts opened subsequently. Funds for the final opening were obtained in 2013 under the project "Transborder Centre for Socio-Economic Education – completion of the construction of Chełmska Biblioteka Publiczna." The building was officially opened in January 2015. Today, whereas in the past the library had as many as nine branches, it currently has three branches: Branch No. 1 at 5 Nadrzeczna Street, Branch No. 2 at 31 Zachodnia Street, and Branch No. 3 at 4 11 Listopada Street. The library maintains an online presence, including a digital library site and a Public Information Bulletin site.
History
The history of Chełmska Biblioteka Publiczna began in 1906, when a circle of the Polish Educational Society (Polska Macierz Szkolna) was formed in Chełm with the aim of promoting reading. The initiative to open the institution was led by Maria Paulina Orsetti, who later became its patron. Shortly afterward, in 1907, the library's activity had to go underground because the tsarist authorities closed it. By 1916 about 800 volumes remained, with about 220 readers. In 1920, in place of the previous library, a municipal library was established, taking over the collections of the former Polish Educational Society circle. At that time the library received about 2,000 volumes from the Ministry of Religious Denominations and Public Enlightenment, and in 1923 it was named after the then-serving president of Poland, Stanisław Wojciechowski, and was granted 15 million Polish marks for the institution's development. On the eve of World War II the library's collections amounted to about 5,000 volumes, and about 500 readers used the library. Wartime destruction and the library's closure during World War II reduced its post-war collections to about 500 titles, mainly belles-lettres. In the following years the library developed, including thanks to a grant from the Chief Directorate of Libraries, which in 1947 awarded the Chełm library 70,000 złoty for the purchase and maintenance of collections. In 1960 the library's collections already amounted to 30,000 items with 3,000 readers. At its peak, the library had nine branches in Chełm. In 1964 the library was moved to the new building of the Powiat Culture House in Chełm, and in 1975, as part of adapting the library's activity to the new administrative division, it was merged with the Powiat Public Library. Thus the Wojewódzka Biblioteka Publiczna (Voivodeship Public Library) was created, which in 1999 was transformed into Chełmska Biblioteka Publiczna. On 14 June 2008, the library was named after Maria Paulina Orsetti during a ceremonial session of the City Council. During its existence, the library was housed in various locations and had a varying number of branches. During World War I it was located at 76 Lubelska Street, from 1920 at 69 Lubelska Street, from 1964 in the Powiat Culture House at 1 Tysiąclecia Square, and in 1980 the concept for the construction of the current library headquarters was adopted. The cornerstone for the library building was laid on 28 September 1984. The chief architect was Wiesław Nowakowski, and the subject consultant was Dr. Jerzy Maj from the National Library. During 1984 the total cost of the library's construction was estimated at 296 million złoty, and at the end of 1984 the account of the Fund for the 40th Anniversary Deed, from which the construction was financed, held 326 million złoty. Due to the economic crisis, high inflation, and technical problems during construction, the accumulated funds were insufficient to complete it, and the pace of work decreased. The first part of the building began to be used at the end of 1996, after which further parts of the building were opened for use. Funds for the final opening of the building were obtained in 2013 under the project "Transborder Centre for Socio-Economic Education – completion of the construction of Chełmska Biblioteka Publiczna." The official opening of the building took place in January 2015. Although in the past the library had as many as nine branches, currently, due to the completed construction of the large main building, it has only three branches: Branch No. 1 at 5 Nadrzeczna Street, Branch No. 2 at 31 Zachodnia Street, and Branch No. 3 at 4 11 Listopada Street.
- 2015
The building is officially opened in January.
- 2013
Funds for the final opening of the building are obtained under the project "Transborder Centre for Socio-Economic Education – completion of the construction of Chełmska Biblioteka Publiczna."
- 2008
On 14 June the library is named after Maria Paulina Orsetti during a ceremonial session of the City Council.
- 1999
The Wojewódzka Biblioteka Publiczna is transformed into Chełmska Biblioteka Publiczna.
- 1996
The first part of the building begins to be used at the end of the year.
- 1984
The cornerstone for the library building is laid on 28 September; total construction cost is estimated at 296 million złoty.
- 1980
The concept for the construction of the current library headquarters is adopted.
- 1975
The library is merged with the Powiat Public Library to form the Wojewódzka Biblioteka Publiczna.
- 1964
The library moves to the new building of the Powiat Culture House in Chełm.
- 1960
The collection reaches 30,000 items with 3,000 readers.
Products and positioning
Public cultural and educational institution serving Chełm and Chełm County.
Product categories. Public library services · Book lending · Reading and information services · Cultural and educational programming · Digital library resources
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