To Saved the Orphaned Ones

The Contribution of the Theological Library in Katowice to the Presentation of the Bibliophile Legacy of the Polish Clergy

Abstract

A book requires an owner to fulfil its purpose and remain relevant. If a book is deprived of its owner, it may be forgotten or even destroyed. The absence of a book can have serious, negative consequences for understanding the functioning of the surrounding world and its processes. Books are a source of knowledge and therefore play an important role in maintaining society’s level of development. Unfortunately, situations may arise where a book loses its owner, such as when the owner passes away or when institutions close or move. When this happens, the book becomes orphaned and must be saved by individuals or institutions that are friendly to their former owners. The Theological Library in Katowice has been dedicated to this mission for many years (Uniwersytet Slaski n.d.). In this article we will present our library’s contribution to preserving the bibliophile heritage of the Polish clergy.