The Parliamentary Library of Ukraine, Kiev

In 1866, by order of the tsarist authorities, a Russian public library was opened in Kiev. Its organizers were prominent figures of science and culture. The foundation of the foundation was a private collection of the writer and publisher V.G. Barschevsky and the gifts of citizens.

History of the library

This book collection functioned mainly at the expense of the bounty of philanthropists, rich citizens, various communities and enterprises. Prominent scientists of Kiev University, publishers, directors of gymnasiums, representatives of the church joined the library management structure within a decade.

During the first quarter of the century, the library was repeatedly forced to move from place to place, as it did not have a separate room. Everything changed in 1891, when the institution became subordinate to the city Duma. Financing of the library has significantly improved, the volume of funds has increased.

In 1909, the Duma approved the decision to erect a separate building for the library. And in 1911 a beautiful structure was built, the author of which was the architect Z. Klave. It is now considered the oldest building in Kiev of this purpose and is on the list of monuments of architecture of the early 20th century. Built in the style of the Italian Renaissance, the building was a true decoration of the city center. The library was extremely popular. With the outbreak of World War II, the funds were not evacuated. The library continued to function in the occupied city.

During the war years the Germans devastated it. All that was left, including the structure, completely destroyed the fire. It was restored from scratch. The library regained its former shapeand was reopened in 1954. It has the status of the National Parliamentary Library of Ukraine since 1994.