Voivodeship Public Library in Krakow

The Wojewódzka Biblioteka Publiczna (Voivodeship Public Library) in Kraków, located in the historic former barracks building at Rajska Street 1, serves as the main library of the Małopolska Voivodeship and is a cultural institution funded by the local government. Its architecture, featuring corridors over 200 meters long, also functions as an exhibition space for paintings and photography. The library collects and provides access to approximately 500,000 inventory items, including books, periodicals, and special collections such as vinyl records and documents of social life. It also holds unique collections of regional periodicals and subscribes to current newspapers. The library's activities extend beyond providing access to its collections to include education and the promotion of reading. In cooperation with the Marshal's Office, it runs the Małopolska Digital Library, which showcases regional cultural heritage. The library is equipped with modern conference rooms and offers Wi-Fi access and facilities for people with disabilities. Notable initiatives include a Book Discussion Club and the "School of the @ctive Senior" program, which helps older adults learn computer skills. The library's history dates back to 1758, when Jacek Augustyn Łopacki donated the first book collection. Over the years, it underwent numerous transformations, including the establishment of the Ernest Bandrowski Public Library in 1920. In 1949, the Wojewódzka Biblioteka Publiczna was formally created. Today, it serves as the central library for the Małopolska Voivodeship, and since 2011, its director has been Jerzy Woźniakiewicz.