The book collection and readers of the Zhytomyr Public Library (1866–1910)

Volyn has long been considered as one of the most active centers of Ukrainian cultural life. In the middle and the second half of the XIX century the process of the national renaissance formation in the context of the substantial cultural and educational movement in the region takes place on its territory. The Zhytomyr Russian Public Library, founded in 1866, has thereat become one of the cultural centers of the region alongside with educational institutions and scientific societies. The issue of the Public Library activity in Zhytomyr has not been considered properly in scientific literature, there are only general short essays on the issue. In the article we have attempted to study the institution activity by quantitative and qualitative analysis of its book collections as well as the characteristics of the library visitors, the range of their reader interests, the donators and admirers. During the research process we have revealed the archival documents, which help to reconstruct the history of foundation and activity of one of the first public libraries on the territory of the Southern-Western region of Russian Empire – the Zhytomyr Russian Public Library. The scientific research results expand knowledge in the area of the cultural and educational movement in the region in the stated period in general and the regional history of the librarian science in particular.