History
The National Library's history has origins in the 18th century (Załuski Library) including items from the collections of John III Sobieski which were obtained from his grand daughter Maria Karolina Sobieska, Duchess of Bouillon.
On 24 February 1928, by the decree of president Ignacy Mościcki, the National Library was created in its modern shape. It was opened in 1930.
Its first Director General was Stefan Demby, succeeded in 1934 by Stefan Vrtel-Wierczyński.
The library collections were to be accommodated in several places, e.g. in some rooms of the School of Economics. In 1935 the Potocki Palace in Warsaw became house for special collections.
Before World War II, the library collections consisted of:
- 6.5 million books and journals from 19th and 20th centuries
- 3,000 early prints
- 2,200 incunables
- 52,000 manuscripts
- maps, icons and music
In 1940 the Nazi occupants changed the National Library into Municipal Library of Warsaw and divided it as follows:
- Department of Books for Germans (located in the Warsaw University building)
- Restricted Department, containing books that were not available to readers (located in the then main seat of the library - the School of Economics)
- All special collections from various Warsaw offices and institutions (located in the Palace of the Commonwealth)
In 1944 the special collections were set ablaze by the Nazi occupants as a part of repressions after the Warsaw Uprising. 80,000 early printed books, including priceless 16th-18th century Polonica, 26,000 manuscripts, 2,500 incunabula, 100,000 drawings and engravings, 50,000 pieces of sheet music and theater materials were destroyed.
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