The well-known Chernihiv Regional Universal Library named after V. G. Korolenko became another victim of russian aggression against Ukraine.
So, on the night of March 29-30, 2022, during the siege of the city, the library building was damaged by russian shelling. The roof and windows of the building were broken, and cracks were formed in the walls.
History of the Institution
The history of the library begins in 1877. It was then that 50 people from the circle of democratically inclined intelligentsia of Chernihiv became its founders. The Grinchenko, Kotsiubynsky, M. Voronyi, G. Kovalenko married couples, known as prominent representatives of the Ukrainian cultural and educational movement, were also involved in the library’s activities in the first period of its existence.
The general collection of the library includes 868,000 copies. In the structure of the fund, 83% are scientific, special, educational, reference and popular scientific publications. The fund of rare editions of the 19th and early 20th centuries includes more than 15,000 editions. The library is located in the historic building of the Noble and Peasant Land Bank.
Interesting Facts
In 1909-1910, the library was closed by the authorities on charges of keeping banned literature. However, within a year, after changing its status, the activity was resumed.
The library manor house is an excellent example of modern architecture of the beginning of the 20th century. The original purpose of the building was a land bank. The building was erected in 1910-1913 by the provincial engineer Afanasyev. The Fongogenach house is characterized by eclecticism, a combination of elements of different styles. The architect Fongogen built mainly in St. Petersburg, in Ukraine his buildings were preserved in Kyiv, Chernihiv and Dnipro.
Help by donation
You can join the restoration of the well-known library here.