Stanisław Staszica Pomeranian Library in Szczecin

The Stanisław Staszic Pomeranian Library in Szczecin is the central library of the West Pomeranian region, with a scientific status, and one of the largest libraries in Poland. Its history dates back to 1905, when the Szczecin Municipal Library was opened in an adapted high school building. Thanks to Dr. Erwin Ackerknecht, the library gained prominence by merging various collections from Pomerania. After World War II, the library resumed operations on July 12, 1945, gathering surviving collections and receiving the first Polish books. In 1965, the library was granted scientific status, and in 1966, it was named after Stanisław Staszic. In 1994, it was transformed into the Pomeranian Library, with a separate Municipal Public Library established. The library building was modernized in 1999, increasing its area to 10,000 m². Architecturally, the modern building perfectly combines historical elements with contemporary solutions. The library collects and provides access to approximately 1.5 million items, including extensive collections related to West Pomerania, as well as documents of social life, manuscripts, and old prints. Since 2009, the West Pomeranian Digital Library "Pomerania" has been operating, enabling online access to the collections. The library organizes numerous cultural events, such as exhibitions, book promotions, and literary meetings, and publishes its own publications. In 1977, the Golden Ex Libris award was introduced to honor individuals who have contributed to the development of librarianship. The library is an active participant in conferences on culture and science and collaborates with other institutions in Poland and abroad, promoting regional and Polish culture. Within the library, there are various reading rooms and lending departments, including specialized ones such as the Music and Phonographic Reading Room and the German Library. The Pomeranian Library, as an important cultural center, combines tradition with modernity, serving as a key location for science and education in the region.