Chapters from old history of libraries in Kolín and its surrounding

The work gives a detailed presentation about occurrence of manuscripts as well as printed books and libraries in Kolín and its surrounding since the establishment of the town until the 18th century, if records about them were preserved, or they exist till now. Only a few records concerning the library culture were preserved from the early history of Kolín. Manuscripts were found in Dominican Monastery. Despite the first mentioning of separate books only in the 14th century, we may assume them already earlier - it concerns mainly donations of books to some altars of the Saint. Bartholomew's Church in Kolín. Richer occurrence is only recorded in the 16th century when we already have quotations of specific book titles in the records of Kolín burghers, or their private libraries are mentioned here. At his time books are not only copied in Kolín but also written; authors are burghers or local dean. 17th century then brings a message about a library on the Kolín presbytery, private libraries of Kolín deans and libraries of newly established monasteries in Kolín and Zásmuky. 18th century is not abundant in records about libraries because a book becomes an expensive property, its value goes down and records of Kolín burghers include descriptions of the library only rarely