Interdisciplinary relevance of studies on common libraries in the 2nd Polish Republic

Abstract

At the beginning the author presents fundamental social, economic, political, ethnic and cultural background influencing activity of the libraries of different types in Poland, after regaining independence in 1918. Then he discusses social role and functions of libraries in the reborn state in the years 1918-1939, focusing on common (public) libraries - approx. 35.000 institutions, libraries of national minorities included. In the last part he justifies interdisciplinary relevance of studies on public libraries, referring to the example of the parish library in the roman catholic church in Turośnia (Białystok county), registered in the inventory from the year 1930. He proves that this book collection can be a valuable, supplemental source for studies on multiethnic community of Turośnia - its health and social problems, agricultural culture and political sympathies of that time. In conclusion the author states that findings of the library historians can be used by the researchers from other disciplines and vice versa - library historians can and actually use the evidence of other sciences, including history, sociology or economy.