One of country’s leading and oldest institutions of higher education, the Belarusian State Pedagogical University (named after Maxim Tank) receives centenary gift from National Library
The precious rarity — a facsimile edition of Frantsisk Skorina’s works in five volumes — has only a few copies, so the addition to the university’s hall of rare books is a triumph indeed, sure to raise the pulse of bibliophiles! It will stand alongside the Academic News of 1781, and an edition entitled Ancient Egyptian, Assyrian and Babylonian History — dating from 1752. Since most books in the library are no older than the university itself, the gift is breath-taking.
“The library holds over a million editions,” reveals the Rector of the BSPU, Alexander Zhuk. “Approximately 7,000 are classed as rare, the oldest dating to the mid-17th century. Moreover, we are opening a repository, enabling students and teachers to have constant access to electronic educational resources: the educational-methodical developments of our staff, and scientific articles.” Mr. Zhuk is convinced that in this way the university can declare itself in the international rating of universities where such aspect is of crucial importance.
Almost all new editions are released in e-form as well as printed. The BSPU understands that ever more students wish to read using e-devices, or to receive information online, so the electronic repository aims to meet this 21st century trend. At present, there are about 400 documents, which have taken two months to digitise.
