This magnificent hall, with its historic atmosphere, evokes bygone times while harmoniously blending with modernity—and with the suspended ceiling uncovered during the renovation of the room. It is a place to see and to immerse yourself in reading the rich library collections.
“Out of respect for the character of this hall, we composed all the furnishings in a way that would recreate its unique atmosphere,” says Anna Gątowska, director of the Legnica Public Library. “We brought out the noble charm of this room. The aesthetics of bygone years engage in a dialogue with the contemporary.”
The large room on the ground floor of the Legnica Public Library building on Piastowska Street was taken over from the State Archives several years ago. It required renovation. It was during this work, when workers removed the suspended ceiling installed more than 40 years earlier, that the historic decorations were revealed in all their glory. They include, among other things, approximately 240 small boards arranged on the walls. All the uncovered elements were painstakingly restored. Paintings that once decorated the Masonic lodge were also revealed on the wall and ceiling. However, we will not see them. Why?
“These paintings were conserved and covered with plaster,” the director explains. “Perhaps they will be uncovered again someday? Regulations concerning reading rooms clearly state that the walls must be light in order to reflect light. Those paintings were multicoloured and happened to absorb light.”
As we have already mentioned, the very interesting design of the Scientific Reading Room combines modernity with dignified elegance. Readers will have individual tables with chairs and lamps at their disposal. The collections in this room have been arranged on classic wooden bookcases. A separate corner with comfortable armchairs has been created for newspaper readers.
It should be added that until now the reading room was located on the first floor of the LBP headquarters. After the collections were moved to the restored room on the ground floor, the former space will serve as a meeting venue.
The electrical installation was also replaced during the renovation, and a service lift was installed, which will significantly facilitate the staff’s work. The city contributed nearly half a million złoty towards the renovation work.
The LBP building has a very interesting history. It was erected by Legnica’s Freemasons in 1894 in the neo-Gothic style. On the first floor, where the reading room was located until recently, there was the Freemasons’ ceremonial hall. After the war, the building was taken over by the Red Army. It housed, among other things, a canteen. In 1968, it was transferred to the Polish side. It was then renovated for the last time.
UM Legnica/ii