The archive comprises more than 100,000 source file cards and approximately 30,000 biographical records documenting the activities of people involved in creating, printing, binding, illustrating, publishing, collecting and disseminating books, from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century.
The project is significant not only from a scholarly and documentary perspective but also in terms of public engagement. Through digitisation and the use of modern digital tools, these unique materials will be protected against deterioration and loss while becoming more widely accessible to audiences interested in the history of the book and culture. The implementation of the project will contribute to disseminating knowledge about individuals who helped shape Poland’s written heritage and will highlight the importance of book culture as an important element of national and European heritage.
The Collection
The collection constitutes a unique resource relating to the history of the book and to the scholarly and cultural communities connected with Polish written heritage. The materials gathered document the activities of individuals representing different historical periods and social backgrounds, ranging from medieval scribes and monks, through printers, educators and librarians, to members of aristocratic families and patrons of culture.
The archive contains biographical entries devoted both to widely recognised figures and to individuals who have since fallen into obscurity, despite having made significant contributions to the development of the book. The materials also concern Poles active abroad as well as foreign nationals who rendered distinguished service to Polish culture.
A particularly valuable part of the collection consists of documents dating from 1946 to 1972, which have not previously been widely accessible or comprehensively studied. Many of them exist solely in the form of manuscripts and typescripts.
Project Activities
The implementation of the project includes activities related to the preservation, cataloguing and digital dissemination of the collection. The work is carried out in stages and includes, among other things, the fumigation of archival materials, the development of record structures and a search system, the creation of a dedicated database, the digitisation of documents and the systematic cataloguing and publication of materials.
The project will result in the creation of a modern online portal enabling users to search and explore the digitised resources of the Archive. The implementation of the initiative will not only safeguard valuable cultural heritage but will also create an online research tool accessible to researchers, students and anyone interested in the history of the book and written culture. The digitisation of the archive will protect unique materials from deterioration and oblivion while increasing opportunities for their use in scholarly research and outreach activities.
The personal records and digitised source materials made available through the project will be accessible online, largely under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence, significantly increasing the project’s reach at both national and international levels. The planned platform will comply with WCAG digital accessibility standards, ensuring its usability for a wide range of audiences.
As a result, the archive will become not only an important research tool but also a platform for disseminating knowledge about individuals who helped shape book culture, strengthening the role of the University of Lodz as an institution documenting and promoting scholarly and cultural heritage.
The project is financed from the state budget funds awarded by the Minister of Science and Higher Education under the programme "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki III” [Social Responsibility of Science III], pursuant to agreement no. SBN/SP/0081/2026/01.
