Library and Information Science

The most significant stage in the development of Hungarian librarianship has been reached with the emergence of a new socialist system of libraries after the World War II．Before that period Hungarian librarianship was so poorly developed that they had to undertake two difficult tasks to eliminate backward conditions, namely, to meet quantitative demand in library facilities and qualitative leveling up of new socialist librarianship. After two decades of hard and vigorous work, remarkable progress was brought about by the interplay of many factors, of which the three most important were: (1) Transformation of social life by a revolutionary transition from capitalism into socialism; (2) recognition of traditions of the past; and (3) stimulation by observing achievements and experiences of foreign countries.

The majority of Hungarian libraries were built into networks planned to form part of major and more effective organizational system. With their force combined they are capable to perform their complex tasks with greater efficiency than by their individual efforts. Among the three main groups of libraries, learned and special libraries, public libraries, and school libraries, the first group with oldest and largest libraries made the most rapid development. The second group is the largest in number. The third group began to develop later and at a slower pace than other groups. These groups depend much on the co-operation of such institutions as the National Board for Librarianship, Centre of Library Science and Methods, Hungarian Book Buying Centre, etc. For studying Hungarian librarianship, the most useful information can be gained through Hungarian Library Directory published by the Centre of Library Science and Methods.