| Central University Library of Iași | |
|---|---|
| Biblioteca Centrală Universitară "Mihai Eminescu" Iași | |
 The main branch of the Mihai Eminescu Central University Library | |
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| 47°10′13″N27°34′32″E / 47.1702°N 27.5756°E /47.1702; 27.5756 | |
| Location | Iași, Romania |
| Type | Academic library |
| Established | 1839 |
| Branches | 13 |
| Collection | |
| Size | over 2.5 million |
| Other information | |
| Website | www |
Building Building details | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical |
| Construction started | 1930 |
| Inaugurated | 1934 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Constantin Iotzu |
| Engineer | Emil Prager |
TheMihai Eminescu Central University Library of Iași (Romanian:Biblioteca Centrală Universitară "Mihai Eminescu" Iași) is a library that serves theAlexandru Ioan Cuza University and the entire university and academic community inIași,Romania.
The library was established on 8 November 1839 and opened on 23 November 1841, carrying on the tradition of the activity and fame of the old library ofAcademia Vasiliană, founded in 1640. Functioning closely withAcademia Mihăileană, founded in 1835, it had the double character of a school library and a public library. In 1860, when the academy was transformed into the new University of Iași, the library became the Central University Library of Iași. However, its university character was soon changed again, for in 1864 the Regulation for Public Libraries transformed it into the Central State Library of Iași, with a national library profile but also playing the role of a university library. This double character continued until 1916, when the library once again assumed its current name.[1]
When it opened, the University of Iași had three faculties, not counting the theological section: Law, Philosophy, and Science. Scientific and technical specialisation of the different sections within the faculties began almost at once. After several management proposals made byDimitrie Gusti in 1913 and 1914, the library was reorganised in 1932 according to the system proposed by B. Harms and W. Gülich. It was once again reorganised in 1948, afterWorld War II. This had become quite necessary, as the library's collection had increased from 600 volumes to 1,500,000.[1] By 2007 it had an additional million volumes. Among these are manuscripts,incunabula and rare books that entered the collection from monastic and private libraries, either by donation or purchase.[2]
Mihai Eminescu andBogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu both served as librarians-in-chief at this institution.[1]
From its foundation until 1860, the library functioned in the building ofAcademia Mihăileană (now demolished). It was housed in the old university building (now theUniversity of Medicine and Pharmacy) until 1897 and in the new university building (now the study hall of theGheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași) until after World War II, when it moved into the building of theKing Ferdinand I Foundation's Library, the collections of which it now includes.[2]
This structure was built between 1930 and 1934 by the engineerEmil Prager following architectConstantin Iotzu's plans. The interior featuresCarrara marble andVenetianmosaic, while the exterior is decorated with Ionic columns, neo-Doric pilasters, small triangular pediments and medallions of important cultural figures.[2] The building is listed in theNational Register of Historic Monuments.[3]
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