University Library in Wrocław

The University Library in Wrocław is the main library of the University of Wrocław, located on Fryderyka Joliot-Curie street 12.

From the Leopoldina to today's library

The institution was formed between 1811 and 1815 from the merger of the collections of the Jesuit Leopoldina university, founded in 1702, the University of Frankfurt (Oder) Viadrina, secularised monastery libraries and grammar school collections. In 1815 the Royal University Library in Wrocław was officially established, and its first director was Johann Gottlob Schneider. Since 1824 the library has held the right to a legal deposit copy.

Three homes

The first home was in a former monastery building on Piasek Island. The second was the neo-Gothic building on Karola Szajnochy street 7/9, designed by Richard Plüddemann and erected between 1887 and 1891 as the former City Library. Construction of the current building on Joliot-Curie street 12 began in 2003, to a design by the studio of Jacek Rzyski, Jerzy Ruszkowski and Jacek Kopczewski. The occupancy permit was issued in December 2011, and the official opening took place in January 2012.

Collections

At the end of 2018 the book collection numbered over 4.19 million volumes, including medieval manuscripts and early printed books, works by Martin Luther, Cervantes and Shakespeare, and the world's largest collection of Silesiaca. The library also provides digital resources, reading rooms and special collections.

Practical information

• Address: Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 12, Wrocław (Grunwaldzki Square area).
• Opening hours change seasonally, it's worth checking them on the library's website or at an information point before visiting.
• The building stands close to Grunwaldzki Bridge and the Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław.