University Library in Warsaw

The University of Warsaw Library (BUW) was established in 1816, alongside the founding of the University of Warsaw. It began operating as a public library in 1818, and its first director, Samuel Linde, and deputy Joachim Lelewel contributed to the development of its collections, including the valuable collections of King Stanisław August Poniatowski. The library went through difficult times, including its closure after the fall of the November Uprising and losses during World War II, when it lost 14% of its holdings. In 1915, after the withdrawal of the Russians, BUW resumed operations and became an integral part of the rebuilding Polish university. After the war, it focused on the recovery of its collections, and in 1999 it moved to a new building designed by Marek Budzyński and Zbigniew Badowski, which became a new symbol, offering, among other things, a spacious rooftop garden – one of the largest in Europe. Architecturally, the 64,000 m² building can hold 5 million volumes and is known for its unique cultural facade and modern interiors. Contemporary initiatives, such as the "BUW for Night Owls" program, which extends the library's opening hours for students, and the BiblioWawa mutual lending system, highlight BUW's importance not only as a place for academic research but also as a social space. The library is also involved in international library associations and electronic initiatives, such as the Crispa platform. An intriguing event was the theft of 80 copies of 19th-century books, which reveals the challenges of managing valuable collections. BUW has won numerous architectural awards, including in the "Gazeta Wyborcza" poll, confirming its status as an architectural icon of Warsaw.