On November 15, 1993, the Municipal Public Library resumed its activities at Sądowa Street. After forty-eight years, one of the oldest libraries in Lower Silesia received decent premises. Let us recall: the Municipal Library in Bolesławiec, the second after Kłodzko (in the former Wrocław Voivodeship), began operating on November 27, 1945. It was successively managed by: Joanna Waszak, Bolesław Bielawski, Wincenty Szypulski, Halina Truszkowska, Tadeusz Sak, Krystyna Szymańska, Ludwika Szewczuk, Stefania Nowak, Zbigniew Szczepański and, currently, Wacława Skawińska. The 48 years of activity of this oldest cultural institution in the city and in Lower Silesia were also years of futile efforts to obtain a building appropriate to the library’s role and functions. National standards provide for more than two thousand square metres of usable space for institutions of this type. Meanwhile, the Municipal Library, scattered throughout the city, had practically one quarter of the required space, in temporary premises that were poorly lit and lacked supporting facilities.
Many attempts were made to find suitable premises for the MBP, but all ended in failure. In 1974, a project was prepared to construct a building for the MBP in front of the former NOT building on Karola Miarki Street. The next attempt (in 1976) was the concept of moving the MBP to the town hall. Even custom-sized furniture and shelving were made for the town-hall rooms, but in this case too, someone changed the decision at the last minute.
Several years later, a battle was fought over the State Agricultural Farm building on Chrobrego Street. The building was to be suitably extended and adapted. However, the city authorities lost a court case concerning ownership of the building.
The next attempt was a project to extend the BOK southward, with the eastern section reconstructed. The final attempt was a decision to construct a new building at the first planned location, namely on the escarpment by Karola Miarki Street. The last project consumed several good million zlotys, and preparations were probably the most advanced. The building was to be beautifully integrated into the undeveloped area and would undoubtedly have been an ornament to this part of the city. Each of the five attempts involved substantial state-budget funds, while in almost every case the implementation of the objective was obstructed by political and economic “twists and turns” (sometimes counties were abolished, sometimes the authorities changed, and so on).
In its post-war history, Bolesławiec fought for three important facilities: a municipal library, a sports and entertainment hall, and—fortunately, we have lived to see these times (though not everyone did)—a music school (still without a second-degree building). The MBP has finally received a somewhat cramped facility (1,115 square metres). Perhaps, “while we are at it,” the third dream of the people of Bolesławiec will also be fulfilled? Everything is in our hands—or, more precisely, in the hands of the President and the City Self-Government.
Incidentally, the President and the city authorities deserve thanks and congratulations for the decision as a result of which, in two years, the MBP will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in its own building. After the town hall and the colourful old town, this is another reason for pride and satisfaction.