Imagine shelves stretching towards the sky. These shelves are filled with knowledge at the Parliamentary Library. This is no ordinary library. It is a legislative library, a public library, and a special library all in one.
Welcome to the Library of the Hungarian Parliament. Here, history whispers from every corner. The Parliamentary Library is more than just books. It is a cornerstone of Hungarian governance. Its location within the Parliament speaks volumes.
The Parliamentary Library’s main interests are law and public administration. Political science, 20th-century history, and contemporary history are also key. The library diligently collects domestic titles covering these fields. It also selects related foreign titles to enrich its collection.
Did you know that this library boasts the largest public collection of Hungarian parliamentary documents? It’s true. The library also maintains a selective collection. This collection includes Hungarian history, modern world history, economics, sociology, and statistics. Foreign parliament documents are also part of the holdings.
The Parliamentary Library serves as a depository library. It houses documents from the United Nations. Specialized agencies and the European Union also contribute. This makes it a vital resource for researchers and policymakers.
Inside the reading room, approximately 50,000 documents await. These are organized into 12 subject areas. This ensures that visitors can easily access the information they need. The Parliamentary Library offers a vast collection of old daily papers and periodicals. Nearly half are in foreign languages. The reading room provides open access to Hungarian and foreign dailies. Weeklies and journals cover law, history, political science, and social sciences.
The Parliamentary Library’s holdings are impressive. They include approximately 600,000 volumes. The library acquires close to 3,500 to 4,000 new pieces each year. While it is a non-lending library, its online catalogues provide easy access to its resources. On-site stackrooms house the core stock. The special collections, reference library, periodicals, rare books, and manuscripts are stored here. The rest is retrieved from an off-site storage facility upon request.
The Parliamentary Library moved into this building in 1902. The Hungarian architect Imre Steindl designed it and the rest of the Hungarian Parliament. The carved roses decorating the ceiling are also found in the Hunter Hall. Some of the shelves, window frames, and furniture are original from the early 1900s. One of the library’s most treasured items is the historical documents of the Hungarian Parliament. These date all the way back to 1580.
As we conclude our visit to the Library of the Hungarian Parliament, consider its vital role. It supports lawmaking. It preserves history. It serves as a public resource. It is a treasure trove of knowledge within Hungary’s Parliament.