Skip to content

About the project

Preserving and Digitalisation of Antiquarian Prints and
Rare Books from the Collection of the National University of
Ostroh Academy

The National University of Ostroh Academy preserves valuable book collections, which are an essential part of Ukrainian and European cultural heritage. The history of the formation of these collections is also of paramount importance. Most rare editions the university received as a gift from the private collections of patrons, friends, and the institution’s revival associates. The book fund expanded thanks to the contributions of well-known public figures, scientists, public organisations and scientific institutions from Ukraine and abroad. For 28 years of its incipience, the young university’s staff has formed thousands of book collections. Among the books are rare editions in the Museum of the NaUOA History and the Lubomyr Wynar Institute for the Ukrainian Diaspora Studies.

The digital library Pro Libris is the result of the project, Preserving and Digitalisation of AntiquarianPrints and Rare Books from the Collection of the National University of Ostroh Academy, implemented at the university thanks to the financial support of the Stabilization Fund for Culture and Education 2022 of the German Federal Foreign Office and the Goethe-Institut. Among the project’s main tasks is digitising the most valuable publications from university collections and providing free access by placing them on a web resource.

Pro Libris is a platform that can be helpful for researchers and anyone interested in Ukrainian history and culture. It makes it possible to expand access to the unique achievements of Ukrainian printing and graphic art, popularise the best examples of the national cultural heritage, and, most importantly, preserve valuable books for future generations.

The site is systematically renewed and supplemented because the digitisation of books continues.