II. Ferenc Rákóczi Library

History of our Library

The milestones of the library history of Miskolc are related to the last years of the 19th century. In 1899, with the support of the town and county, a public library was established within the framework of the Borsod-Miskolc Museum, which became the predecessor of the town and county library. In the first half of the 20th century, donations of civilian books for the benefit of the public were part of our common collection heritage, thanks to which Lajos Horváth, Member of Parliament, legal scholars from Miskolc, historian János Szendrey and several renowned local artists became a part of our written culture accessible in the library, a public domain.

In the first half of the 20th century, the Miskolcs dreamed of a similar Culture Palace built in other cities of the country on the Avas roof, which was not completed. In the first half of the last century, the public libraries were not built for libraries, they operated within the framework of reception institutions (Museum Papszeri building, Theatre building). Mayor Sándor Hodobay proposed in 1937 that the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Erzsébet Square could be a suitable place for a public library, but this was realized only in 1952.

On 26 October 1952, by merging the city, district and technical branch libraries, the county library was established in the Erzsébet Square building by decision of the Council of Ministers, of which László Szőnyi became the head. Already at the time of moving in the building proved to be scarce, which from September 1956 II. It operates under the name Ferenc Rákóczi Library. In 1959, the director of the library at the time first proposed to the maintainer the construction of a new library building, the professional design program of which was completed in 1963. From 1960 the city branch network was separated from the county library and until 2012 the city library tasks were carried out by the two institutions in parallel. On 1 October 1969, with the laying of the foundation stone, the construction of the new building for the library began, and after the technical handover in 1971, the handover ceremony of the new building took place on 28 May 1972. The current building, designed for the library in Görgey Artúr Street, has been serving the visitors of the library ever since in a 4800 m2 building.

From 1 January 2013, the libraries of Miskolc performing city and county tasks were merged again into one organization, II. Ferenc Rákóczi County and City Library. The city's tasks are performed by the central building and its 7 branch libraries in different parts of the city: the Downtown, the Csabai Gate, the Martin Garden City, the Szentpéteri Gate, the Avas and Diósgyőr. Their namesakes became famous poets and writers: Attila József, Margit Kaffka, József Lévay, Ferenc Móra, Sándor Petőfi, Lőrinc Szabó, Mihály Tompa. In our libraries local knowledge, foreign language, museum, audiovisual, electronic, digital and musical documents await the visitors, with almost one million documents.
From 2013, as part of county tasks, the library provides state support to the settlements of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County with less than 5000 inhabitants, and from 2017, it provides library services in 318 small settlements. In the county and in the city, high-quality library programs provide cultured entertainment, learning and culture. We promote culture for all ages, generations, individuals and groups, and contribute to the possibility of quality life.

The library's services and collection are open to all and free of charge. By interlibrary loan we make the collections of other libraries available, we are waiting for those interested in our services 24 hours a day on our online interfaces, personally during our opening hours.

The centre of the combined institution is located in the folk garden building designed by János Dézsi, Ybl Prize-winning architect for the county library, which was handed over in 1972.

Its ever-expanding stock, computer park, information technology equipment and services are available not only to the population of the city but also to the population of the county. In addition to supplying the city, the old-new library provides library supplies to the local community in nearly 300 small settlements throughout the county, coordinates the installation of libraries with computers and technical equipment, and organises their programmes.

The institution is the largest public municipal library in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county. It plays a decisive role in the documentation and information provision of the North Hungarian region, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county and the city of Miskolc, in the transfer of cultural heritage, in culture, in lifelong learning and in spending free time.

On the ground floor of the central building is the Orientation (Information Zone). Here you can use the computers of the library, the Internet. Thanks to the wi-fi service, you can access the internet free of charge throughout the library using your own device.

On the 1st floor there is the literary section with a free shelf, as well as literature related to art, linguistics and sports. In the magazine reader daily newspapers, popular weekly newspapers are waiting for the readers.

The Children's Department awaits children and teens between the ages of 0-14 with books, periodicals, and colorful programs and activities. There is also a self-service rental service. In the Teenage Corner, those over the age of 14 can choose from a selection of youth literature.

On the second floor you can find most of the literature, the music and local history department.

The collection of Old Books and the documents related to the past and present of the historical counties of Abaúj, Borsod, Gömör, Torna and Zemplén (until 1920) can be found in the library's Local History Collection.

In addition to books, the Musical and Media Library provides magazines, sheet music and music CDs. This includes audiobooks and DVDs.

In addition to traditional public relations (writer-reader meetings, book presentations, exhibitions, educational lectures, handicraft workshops, internet, library use and language courses), electronic campaigns, promotions, quizzes and competitions are becoming more and more common.

The library awaits scientific researchers with personalized services, literary research, special, researchable museum and digital collection sections. The II. The Borsod-Miskolc Digital Library is accessible to anyone through the website of Ferenc Rákóczi Library.

The library is a member of the National Document Supply System, which fulfills the individual needs and requests of library users within the framework of interlibrary lending.