In May, the HLSB Fulda traditionally honours its history, as several important events from the time the library was founded take place during this month. We take this as an opportunity to draw attention to a photograph of the first library rooms, when the library was still located in the purpose-built building next to Fulda Cathedral.
The history of the HLSB Fulda is inextricably linked to these first library rooms. The decision by Prince-Bishop Henry VIII of Bibra to establish a public library was a process that took several years. The aim was to bring together and centralise various libraries.
This development was largely shaped by the first librarian, Petrus Böhm, who was initially appointed librarian of the Benedictine convent. After travelling to several cities in the following years to get to know the libraries there, he was appointed the first librarian of the public library, today's HLSB Fulda, on 23 December 1777. On the same day, a princely decree was issued with the rules for the library.
Construction of the library had already begun on 4 May 1771. By May 1776, the work had progressed so far that the first books could be put on display. Exactly 250 years ago. These included 4,204 volumes from the Benedictine convent, 1,440 volumes from the court library, 218 volumes from the former Jesuit seminary and donations from friends of the new library.
However, it would be another two years before the library was officially opened. On 5 May 1778, the festive event was celebrated in the presence of university members "with the sound of drums and trumpets". Petrus Böhm gave a speech in Latin on the Fulda Monastery Library in the Middle Ages.
From this day onwards, the reading room shown in the photo was open to the public. The HLSB Fulda will celebrate this event extensively in 2028.
The picture contains the library's ownership stamp (Ex Bibliotheca Fuldensi) at the top. "H. Knauff Photograph Fulda" was stamped into the paper below the image. In manuscripts, the additional words "Großer Saal nach W.[esten] gesehen mit Heinr.[ich] VIII von Bibra & Propst v.[on] Piesport. The recording of the reading room can also be viewed on our digitisation portal "FulDig".
