About Krakow Library Group – KZB

The Krakow Library Group (Krakowski Zespół Biblioteczny – KZB) was established in August 1994 on the strength of the Agreement between the rectors of all Kraków’s universities and the directors of PAN and IFJ. In 2002, the formula of the Group was extended. Further amendments to the Agreement were made in 2009 and 2018. (consolidated text).

Within the KZB there is a Steering Committee (decision-making body), a Board of Directors (advisory body) and a Management Board (executive body). The primary objective of the KZB is the broad cooperation of the community in the field of library activities, including:

  1. acquisition of collections, with particular emphasis on academic journals,
  2. computerisation of library processes, mainly coordination of cooperation of KZB libraries with the national catalogue NUKAT and implementation of the Project of Automating Libraries of the Krakow Scientific Environment,
  3. improvement of professional skills.

The Kraków Library Group consists of the libraries of:

  1. AGH University
  2. The Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music
  3. Academy of Fine Arts
  4. AST National Academy of Theatre Arts
  5. University of Physical Education
  6. Jagiellonian University
  7. Jagiellonian University – Medical College
  8. International Cultural Centre
  9. Cracow University of Technology
  10. Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences and Polish Academy of Sciences
  11. Ignatianum University
  12. Krakow University of Economics
  13. University of the National Education Commission
  14. The Pontifical University of John Paul II
  15. University of Agriculture

Steering Committee
Chairman:
Professor Jarosław Górniak – Vice-Rector for University Development, Jagiellonian University

Vice-chairman:
Professor Marek Gorgoń – Vice-Rector for Science, AGH University of Science and Technology

Members:

  • Professor Agnieszka Filipiak-Florkiewicz, Vice-Rector for Science, University of Agriculture
  • Professor Beata Guczalska, Vice-Rector, AST National Academy of Theatre Arts
  • Professor Tomasz Kapecki, Vice-Rector for General Affairs, Cracow University of Technology
  • Professor Agata Kwiatkowska-Lubańska, Vice-Rector for Research and Evaluation, Academy of Fine Arts
  • Professor Anna Marchewka, Vice-Rector for Science, University of Physical Education
  • Professor Wiesław Pawlik, Delegate of the General Assembly, Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • Professor Michał Rogoż, Vice-Rector for Research, University of the National Education Commission
  • PhD Małgorzata Sternal, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and External Relations,  The Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music
  • Professor Sławomir Śmiech, Vice-Rector for Research, Krakow University of Economics
  • Professor Robert Tyrała, JM Rector, The Pontifical University of John Paul II
  • Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik, Director, International Cultural Centre PhD
  • Stanisław Skórka, Director, AGH University Main Library, Director of the Kraków Library Group

Board of Directors of the Krakow Library Group

  • PhD Stanisław Skórka – Director of the AGH University Main Library, Director of the Kraków Library Group
  • MA Urszula Cieraszewska – Library Director, Krakow University of Economics
  • PhD Krzysztof Duda – Library Director, University of the National Education Commission
  • PhD Agnieszka Fluda-Krokos – Library Director, Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences and Polish Academy of Sciences
  • MA Marek M. Górski – Library Director, Cracow University of Technology
  • MA Paweł Jakubiec – Library Director, University of Agriculture
  • MA Anna Krzynówek – Acting Head of Library, The Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music
  • MA Ewelina Poraj-Chlebowska – Head of Library, AST National Academy of Theatre Arts
  • MA Tomasz Rusin – Library Director, University of Physical Education
  • Professor Remigiusz Sapa – Library Director, Jagiellonian University
  • MA Sławomir Sobczyk – Library Director, Academy of Fine Arts
  • MA Magdalena Spyrka – Head of Library, International Cultural Centre
  • MA Anna Uryga – Library Director, Jagiellonian University – Medical College
  • MA Sebastian Wojnowski – Library Director, The Pontifical University of John Paul II
  • MA Roman Dolny – Library Director, Ignatianum University

Project for the Automation of Libraries in the Krakow Research Environment

The origins of the Krakow Academic Library Automation Project date back to 1992, when the Jagiellonian Library decided to purchase an integrated library system – VTLS – and the necessary computer equipment.

This was made possible thanks to the enormous financial assistance BJ received from the Mellon Foundation. AGH University Main Library joined the project thanks to the Jagiellonian University’s offer to use the Jagiellonian Library’s computer (HP3000 – fridge server) and the financial support given to the Library by the then Rector of AGH University. Soon the HP3000/MPE computer and the VTLS system were installed in the Jagiellonian Library, together with separate databases for both libraries.

At the same time, VTLS was purchased by two other Polish libraries: Warsaw University Library and the Main Library of the University of Gdansk. All four libraries cooperated closely in the implementation of the system.

Thanks to a second grant from the Mellon Foundation – this time to 14 libraries in Krakow – it was possible to launch the next stage of the Project. According to the assumptions of this stage, the Krakow Library Group (KZB) was established.

The grant covered the purchase of the VTLS integrated library system and two library servers: victoria (1994) and galicia (1995). The system was implemented by all KZB libraries with the exception of The Cracow University of Technology Library, which purchased the TinLib integrated library system and installed it on its own server, and Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, which resigned from cooperation within the Group.

In 2003, the catalogues from the VTLS/Classic system were transferred to a new version of the system – VTLS/Virtua on HP9000/N4000 and SUN Enterprise 450 servers