Formation of the Library Collections of Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1940-ies

Abstract

This study expands the understanding of rare books — witnesses of the events of the World War II.The initial stage of formation of the library collections of Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IOC RAS, Department of the Library for Natural Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences) occurred in the 1940s. Acquisition sources of literature were very diverse, so the collections contain books from the libraries of various institutions of the Russian Empire and the USSR. Among foreign publications, there are monographs and periodicals from the displaced collections of libraries of the German industrial organizations and educational institutions, received after the Great Patriotic War. Monographs of the library of the German Chemical Society were returned to the GDR in 1956. Books of industrial companies “Vereinigte Stahlwerke”, “Deutsches Kalisyndikat Bucherei”, “Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik Arthur Krupp A.G.”, “I.G. Farbenindustrie” and other are hitherto stored in the library holdings of IOC RAS. I.G. Farbenindustrie was the largest German chemical concern; it had its own laboratories for carrying out scientific research. Many famous chemists, including four Nobel laureates, worked there. The concern collaborated with the Nazi regime, developing artificial fuel, synthetic rubber, toxic substances. It had its own factories (Werk Auschwitz) and concentration camp in Auschwitz. The laboratories conducted chemical studies, and prisoners were involved in it. Providing scientific work with literature was an important component, so the laboratories had their own libraries. After the end of the War, most of the books probably remained on the territory of the plant, which was given to Poland. On its basis, the scientific and technical library of the laboratory was formed there, which later became part of the Chemical Institute. Some of the books from the Werk Auschwitz library got to the USSR, and some of them were transferred to the library of IOC RAS.This article for the first time considers the collections of IOC RAS from the point of view of the field-specific literature published before 1945. Copies with marks of domestic and foreign organizations, personal signs and autographs of scientists are especially valuable. These books can be attributed to the book monuments of the World War II. Thus, one of the most important tasks of the library now is to preserve and study them.