History

1958

In September 1958, a new cultural oasis was born in the heart of Bratislava, on Hviezdoslav Square – the District People’s Library of Staré Mesto. At the very beginning, it offered a collection of 4,000 unprocessed books. At that time, there were four district people’s libraries operating in Bratislava.

1959

Just a year later, in June 1959, the library acquired new spaces for a study room and a reading room. This allowed readers to enjoy their favorite books in a pleasant environment. A new Library Act (No. 53/1959 Coll., dated July 9, 1959) gave libraries fresh momentum and opened the way for further development.

1960

In 1960, the library introduced a new and systematic catalog, making it easier for readers to search for books. Interest in reading grew so rapidly that the number of loans nearly doubled compared to the previous year. As of January 1, 1960, a new organizational regulation came into effect for the people’s libraries in Bratislava. It defined the conditions for library operations, the rights and responsibilities of librarians—especially those in leadership positions—and the role of national committees in relation to libraries.

In July 1960, twelve independent administrative districts were established within the city. From the former branches of the City Library and later the libraries of cultural education centers, twelve District People’s Libraries were formed.

1961

The year 1961 brought several important changes for the library. Due to a comprehensive revision of the collection, its doors were temporarily closed. The library leadership also changed—Dr. Ivan Rojko became the new director and remained in this position until 1969. Among the district libraries in Bratislava, the District Library Bratislava – Staré Mesto had the least developed network, operating only a single branch at Červený kríž. Despite these challenges, the library strived to grow. It established a separate department for its youngest readers and opened a comfortable reading room.

1962

Unfortunately, the branch at Červený kríž had to be closed on February 15, 1962, due to the reconstruction of the cultural education center building. After the renovation was completed, the library never returned to its original premises.

1963

Despite these obstacles, the library did not give up. In 1963, it actively participated in the competition for the Model People’s Library and received recognition from the Council of the Bratislava Municipal National Committee.

1964

In 1964, the District National Committee decided to reopen the branch at Červený kríž, located in the building of the local cultural education center. A resolution by the Council of the Bratislava Municipal National Committee designated the City Library as the administrative and financial center for all district people’s libraries in Bratislava. This brought greater responsibility, but also new opportunities for the development of librarianship in the city.

1965

In January 1965, a new lending policy for the people’s libraries in Bratislava came into effect.

 V októbri 1965 bola znovu otvorená pobočka na Červenom kríži, i keď podmienky neboli ideálne – knižnica nemala samostatný priestor a knihy boli uložené len v dvoch skriniach –, pre čitateľov to predstavovalo veľký krok vpred.

1966

The year 1966 brought further changes. Due to the planned construction of the SNP Bridge, the library faced possible relocation as the building at Hviezdoslav Square 23 was slated for demolition. Despite this, the library managed to succeed in various competitions and received awards, including an Honorable Mention from the Council of the Western Slovak Regional National Committee in Bratislava.

1967

The library was awarded in the regional round of the “Building a Model People’s Library” competition.

1968

The year 1968 was a challenging one for the library. The search for new premises and the unexpected closure (on December 18, 1968) of part of the library due to flooding, which affected the adult department, posed significant difficulties. The Act on the Capital City of the Slovak Republic Bratislava (No. 43/1968 Coll.) brought further changes that impacted the library’s operations.

1969

In July 1969, Emília Jablonská took up the position of director and became the face of the library for many years, serving until April 1, 2004. The library relocated to Hviezdoslav Square 26 and began the demanding process of adapting to the new premises. By the end of the year, the branch at Červený kríž also had to be temporarily closed.

1970

Despite all the difficulties and the temporary operation in the House of Culture and Education at 4 April Square, the library managed to ceremoniously open its new premises at Hviezdoslav Square 26 in April 1970. It was a significant milestone in the library’s history.

1971

The year 1971 brought significant changes to the territorial division of Bratislava (Decree No. 91/71 Coll. on the detailed delineation of the city districts of the capital of the Slovak Socialist Republic). Four city districts were established, and the original twelve district libraries were reorganized into four. These libraries took responsibility for the local people’s libraries in seven affiliated municipalities. As of February 1, 1971, the position of director became a full-time role.

1972

In January 1972, the District Library Bratislava I was officially established (by resolution of the plenary session of the District National Committee Bratislava I on April 27, 1972), with its seat at Záhrebská 6.

Several branches came under its administration: the District People’s Library Bratislava – Staré Mesto at Hviezdoslav Square 26, the District People’s Library Bratislava – Vinohrady at Záhrebská 6 and its branch at Dubová 2, and the branch of the District People’s Library Bratislava – Nivy at Francisciho 2. Preparations also began for the renovation of the branch on Francisciho Street. Despite efforts to establish an advisory body for the library, these plans were not successfully realized.

1973

In 1973, there was a significant expansion of library services. A resolution by the Council of the District National Committee of Bratislava, dated October 30, 1973, established a new Department of Political Literature. This step aimed to more comprehensively meet the informational needs of readers. At the same time, a Library Council was founded, composed of senior library staff and representatives of social organizations.

1977

In 1977, the library acquired new premises for the Department of Political Literature at the Hviezdoslav Square 15 branch. The adaptation process took four years but resulted in a more modern environment for readers.

1979

In 1979, the library received an Honorable Mention from the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Socialist Republic in the national competition “Building a Model People’s Library.”

Alongside these developments, plans were initiated for the construction of a new central library near Odborárske Square. This ambitious project was carried out between 1982 and 1988, providing the library with modern and more spacious facilities.

1982

Due to the need for modernization and improved conditions for readers, the renovation of the library branch at Hviezdoslav Square 15 was launched in 1982. Extensive construction work required the temporary closure of the branch from April 1 to October 4.

1988

The ceremonial opening of the library’s new building on Szabóova Street (now Blumentálska 10/a) took place on June 9, 1988, marking a significant milestone in the library’s history. The new building became the central library of the District Library Bratislava I. The purpose-built premises were leased from the capital city of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, and have been under permanent lease since 2004. The modern and spacious facilities provided readers with greatly improved conditions for studying and reading.

1992

The year 1992 was a year of major changes for the library. On July 1, 1992, Staromestská knižnica (the Old Town Library) was established as an independent contributory organization by resolution of the Local Council No. 45/1992, with its seat at Blumentálska 10/a. It became the legal successor of the former District Library Bratislava I, strengthening its autonomy and development potential.

At the same time, the branch located at the Dubová Primary School was successfully relocated to newly renovated premises at Západný rad 5, improving access to library services for residents of that part of the city. The ceremonial opening of the Západný rad 5 branch took place on October 15, 1992.

1993

In January 1993, the library was transformed into a budget-funded organization by resolution No. 76/1992 of the local council of the Bratislava Staré Mesto city district.

In June 1993, as a result of the enforcement of the restitution law, the library was forced to vacate the premises of the branch at Hviezdoslav Square 15. New premises were obtained in a residential building at Panenská 1, and after a complete renovation, the branch was opened to the public on September 6, 1993.

1999

The introduction of an automated system for library processes in the Acquisitions and Cataloguing Department at the central library on Blumentálska 10/A marked a major turning point in the provision of library and information services. Thanks to digitization, the accessibility of information significantly improved, and work processes became more efficient.

2001

The demanding process of retrospective cataloguing of the library collection at all branches lasted four years and was essential for improving public access to library resources.

2002

The year 2002 was one of dynamic development for the library. As of January 1, 2002, two public internet stations were made available to readers at Panenská 1.

In June, a Summer Reading Room was opened in the courtyard of the Zichy Palace, bringing a new dimension to leisure time and featuring an improvised book booth. In the same month, the branch on Francisciho Street was closed. However, following a petition by residents, the library secured new premises at Karadžičova 1, and after renovation, the branch was reopened to the public on November 29, 2002.

2003

The automated lending system Libris was introduced into regular operation at the Blumentálska branch.

2004

In 2004, the library continued to modernize and expand its services. On April 1, 2004, PhDr. Judita Kopáčiková became the new director. On September 1, the Automation Department was established. Connecting the Blumentálska and Záhrebská branches to the internet was a key step in building a modern, digital library. The initiative to organize computer literacy courses for seniors demonstrated the library’s commitment to supporting digital literacy within the community.

2005

The launch of the website www.starlib.sk marked a significant step in the library’s digital transformation and the expansion of its services. Thanks to the website, the library became more accessible to a broader audience and offered new options for searching and reserving books. The award received in the TopWebLib competition confirmed the high quality and innovative nature of the website.

2006

The establishment of the Foreign Language Literature Department at the Západný rad 5 branch expanded the library’s offerings and made it possible to better meet the needs of readers learning foreign languages and those interested in international literature. The Summer Reading Room was held for the first time in the Medická Garden, providing readers with a pleasant environment for reading during the summer months.

2007

The introduction of the new library and information system Daimon was another major step in the library’s modernization. This system improved catalog searching and made the online catalog accessible to the public. The library’s repeated victory in the 2006 TopWebLib competition for public libraries confirmed its position among the best in the field of information technology use.

2008

In the nationwide TopWebLib 2007 competition for the best library website, the library received an Honorable Mention for maintaining a consistently high-quality online presence. In 2008, a wooden covered gazebo was made available to readers and visitors of the Summer Reading Room in Medická Garden.

In 2008, a research project on youth reading habits in the Bratislava region was also carried out. The library collaborated on this research with the City Library, the Ružinov Library, the Bratislava–Nové Mesto Library, the Local Library in Petržalka, and the Department of Library and Information Science at the Faculty of Arts, Comenius University.

2009

In November 2009, the library transitioned to a new library system, Clavius. In December 2009, it received the “Act of the Year 2009” award from the Regional Branch of the Slovak Librarians Association for its interpretation of the youth reading research in the Bratislava region. This recognition confirmed the library’s active contribution to the development of reading and library culture.

2010

In 2010, the library continued its successful work. Receiving another award for its reading research confirmed its professional excellence in this field. The creation of a new computer classroom expanded educational opportunities and enabled the library to offer new services to the public. Joining the social network Facebook was an important step in building a closer relationship with readers and promoting library activities.

2011

The year 2011 marked significant progress for the library. A new website design greatly improved its appearance and functionality, making it even more appealing to readers. The expansion of the Summer Reading Room in Medická Garden provided more space for reading and relaxation in a pleasant environment. The award received in the TopWebLib competition confirmed that the library ranks among the best in the use of information technologies.

2012

The year 2012 was a year of significant investments in the library’s future. The renovation and opening of the new Center for Children and Youth created a modern and inspiring environment for young readers. The library’s repeated recognition in the TopWebLib competition confirmed its continued high quality in providing online services.

2013

In 2013, the library actively participated in various projects and collaborations. A partnership with the Municipal Library of Olomouc enabled the exchange of experiences and the enrichment of service offerings. Events such as Night with Andersen and memory training sessions for seniors were examples of how the library responds to the needs of different target groups.

2014

Joining national and regional library networks in 2014 enabled readers to access a wider range of information and resources. The introduction of self-service book houses brought a new way of borrowing books and made reading more accessible in various locations.

2015

The year 2015 was marked by a variety of activities for the library. The project Book Without Letters offered new perspectives on reading and supported inclusion. The award received by the director highlighted the significance of her work. The event series Einstein Academy helped popularize science among young people. The expansion of the self-service book house network made books accessible in various locations throughout the city. Collaboration with students contributed to revitalizing the library’s activities.

2016

In 2016, the library continued to develop its services and activities. The project My First Library Card supported early childhood reading. As part of the project, children born in 2016 with parents permanently residing in the city district received free library registration until the start of compulsory schooling. Renovation of library spaces improved conditions for readers. An art therapy program introduced a new approach to reading and personal development. The Senior Friendly award and a certificate for supporting volunteerism confirmed that the library is inclusive and actively engaged in the community.

A new service for seniors in the Old Town district was also launched—Book Delivery for Seniors—in cooperation with the civic association Milujem knihy/Amo libris and the social department of the Bratislava–Staré Mesto city district. This service is intended for seniors over the age of 60 with limited mobility or chronic illness who have permanent residence in the district.

2017

In 2017, the library improved communication with its readers by introducing SMS notifications. It also honored the memory of its former director. The award received for the project My First Library Card confirmed the importance of the library’s efforts to promote reading among children.

2018

The year 2018 was a year of celebration and recognition for the library. Its 60th anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on its important role in the cultural life of the city. Awards from the mayor and an Honorable Mention for the director highlighted her significant contribution. Gaining access to the GALE database expanded study and research opportunities for users. New premises on Karadžičova Street made it possible to host a variety of events.

2019

In 2019, the library continued to enhance its services and environment. The Our City project contributed to beautifying the library’s surroundings. The transfer of the building on Blumentálska Street to the administration of the city district ensured its long-term sustainability. The Senior Friendly award and a certificate for supporting volunteerism confirmed that the library remains open to all and actively engages with the community.

2020

The year 2020 brought new challenges and opportunities for the library. The project Reading with the Youngest supported early childhood reading and strengthened the connection between the library and the community. The transfer of the building to the administration of the city district ensured its long-term sustainability. The introduction of an e-book lending service expanded access to information. The departure of the long-serving director marked the end of an era and opened the door to new possibilities.

2021

In 2021, a change in the library’s leadership brought new momentum for further development. Jana Slezáková became the new director. The project Prešporské Tingli-Tangli was another example of the library’s efforts to revitalize the cultural life of the city. In June, a self-service book house was installed in the Prüger-Wallner Garden. From November 2021 to January 2022, the central library on Blumentálska hosted an exhibition of photographs by renowned Macedonian photographer Ljupčo Ilievski.

2022

In March, the library underwent a visual rebranding, introducing a new logo and a unified visual style for all graphic materials. That same month, shortly after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, it became one of the first institutions in Bratislava to respond to the arrival of Ukrainians—organizing Slovak language courses, conversation sessions, experiential readings, and workshops for children. The library’s collection was expanded with 600 books in Ukrainian—most of which were donated by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Slovak Republic. This book donation was part of the Ukrainian Bookshelf project, held under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. The library was visited by Yurii Mushka, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Slovak Republic. In July, the library began offering access to the KUBO digital library for children.

In September, the library launched a new project called Library Sound—an experimental sound performance series featuring young musicians. In November, the branch on Karadžičova Street celebrated its 20th anniversary. In December, the branch on Záhrebská Street was closed for renovation.

2023

In January, the Staromestská Library on Blumentálska Street was visited by the Ambassador of Israel to Slovakia, H.E. Eitan Levon, together with his wife Nava. They attended a travel lecture about Tel Aviv. In March, an evolution gardenwas created in front of the central library on Blumentálska by Finnish-Italian artist Egle Oddo. The garden was part of the planArt project organized by Kunsthalle Bratislava. In June, the library marked the 35th anniversary of the opening of its building on Szabóova Street (now Blumentálska Street). That same month, a book house was installed in the park on Rozvodná Street in Kramáre, loaned long-term by the civic association Kramársky susedský život.

In September, the branch on Panenská Street celebrated its 30th anniversary with a series of events organized by the library. In December, the branch on Západný rad was closed due to relocation. That same month, the library officially took over the administration of the central building on Blumentálska from its founder.

2024

The year 2024 marked a major milestone for the Staromestská Library. The long-term renovation of the branch at Záhrebská 8 culminated in the opening of a modern, bright, and multifunctional space that meets the highest 21st-century standards. At the same time, the branch from Západný rad was relocated to new premises at Gaštanová 19, improving accessibility for residents of that part of the city. This comprehensive transformation of library services not only expanded the range of offerings but also optimized costs and created a sustainable operating model. The new spaces have become a true community hub where people of all ages come together to learn, enjoy themselves, and connect with others. The branch at Blumentálska 10/a also underwent minor renovations, with the revitalization of two areas—the restrooms and the kitchenette.