History.

By Decree no. 136, the University Foundation Library is assigned the status of ”C.I. Parhon” Central Library of the University from Bucharest.

Thus, the Central University Library became the coordinating center of the network of faculty libraries of the University of Bucharest. In order to create a coherent and functional ensemble, the period to follow would be characterized by unwavering efforts to reorganize the libraries in the faculties, seminars, laboratories and dormitories.

Since 1963, the Central University Library is the National Center for endowing with Romanian publications the Romanian language, literature and civilization lectureships abroad.

The Central University Library had gradually become the most complex university library in the country. The document collections of the branch libraries followed a development dedicated to the current study, specific to each of the faculties and as for the Headquarters, the configuration of the publications fund had an encyclopedic structure, providing a multidisciplinary basis for deepening university studies and research.

The concern of the institution’s specialists for the highest possible orientation of the users was materialized in the elaboration of a wide range of bibliography tools, containing current and retrospective information.

Under the auspices of UNESCO, Director-General Federico Mayor called on all governments, organizations and political institutions to participate in the reconstruction and modernization of the library.

Due to the impressive human solidarity, in only a few years, except for the unique documents, most of the publication fund would be replenished through exchanges and donations. Over 100,000 volumes were donated from individuals and institutions in the country and over 800,000 volumes from abroad.

Giving new foundations of continuity to the tradition, the reconstruction effort had as main orientation the project of extension and modernization of the architectural complex, an endeavour meant to ensure an ambitious approach of the second century of existence.

In the expansion project, the architectonical establishment of the Central University Library consisted of three buildings, integrating together with the Foundation Palace, the building of the former Dacia Bank – Romania (destroyed in the same fire in December 1989) and the future construction of the Boema Building. The necessary expansion of the settlement was based on an older idea and initiative of the historian Nicolae Iorga, who, in 1931, for the same purpose, under the tutelage of the Ministry of Public Instruction, purchased 1,600 square meters near the University Foundation buildings.

Despite the shortcomings of the temporary relocation, between 1990 and 2000, the Headquarters continued its public activity in the buildings in Calea Plevnei no. 59, performing library services at standards appreciated by the users.

Although the period is marked by great financial efforts dedicated to reconstruction and computerization, the restoration of the publications fund would remain permanently in the center of attention. Along with donations and exchanges, the acquisition of works of real value on the domestic and international publishing market was the basic policy.

According to the modernization program, since 1990, UNESCO experts in collaboration with library specialists have developed a computerization project of the Central University Library.

The database created in CDS / ISIS contained approximately 60,000 records (books entered and processed in the library after 1990).

On February 28, the Central University Library’s computerized system was presented to the public and, as of March 1, it became operational for specific library activities through the integrated VUBIS program, received through a TEMPUS program. In June, a complete and permanent connection to the INTERNET was made. During the same year, the Loan Center database was also set up in VUBIS for the Headquaters. Thus, the Central University Library became the first university library in Romania to create a computerized infrastructure, offering complex services for accessing and investigating both its own databases and national and international ones.

In resonance with the difficulties of reconstruction and modernization, prof. univ. dr. Ion Stoica, the Director General of the Central University Library, stated at the celebration of the centenary of the library the following:

“As so many times in their troubled history, Romanians have found the strength to rise above the pain and start all over, with the support of government agencies in the country, many organizations abroad and the sympathy of thousands and thousands of people from all over Romania and elsewhere, the staff of the Central University Library in Bucharest passes into the second century of existence with the hope and the will to give back to the national culture this great treasure.”

Implementing the same VUBIS system, the branch libraries were computerized. The first ones were the libraries of Mathematics and Letters, followed by those of Geography, Physics and Biology.

The Dacia Building became operational.

The first stage of the operations for moving the publication funds from the temporary headquarters in Calea Plevnei was underway.

The operations of moving the document collections to the Boema Building storage rooms are completed during 2000. The entire period is characterized by the mobilization of all resources in order to refunctionalize and open the library to the public.

The Central University Library took part in the “Parteneriat InfoEuropa” project, developed within the PHARE EUROPA program and financed by the European Union. As a result of this attrendance, the Europe Reading Room was organized providing access to European-themed documents, and the EUREF interinstitutional database was also created.

This is the day in which the Central University Library in Bucharest (Headquarters) was reopened. The event was attended by many personalities from the political and cultural world, from the country and abroad.

During the Central University Library Days, 110 years were celebrated from the inauguration of the “Carol Iˮ University Foundation (March 14, 1895). The guest of honor stood out: His Majesty, King Mihai. The events organized on this occasion included:

– Romfilatelia released a commemorative issue of stamps called “Central University Library (former “Carol Iˮ University Foundation) – 110 years since its inaugurationˮand also an envelope.

-The ACAD. C. Bălăceanu-Stolnici, the Prof. Neagu Djuvara, Prince Mihai Dimitrie Sturdza, the Prof. Tudor Berza and Radu Ionescu evoked the role and importance of the Foundation in the cultural life of Bucharest.

– Thematic exhibitions were presented to the public.

The document called H.G. no. 445/05-04-2006 was published within “Monitorul Oficialˮ where the name of the Central University Library of Bucharest was changed into “Carol Iˮ Central University Library.

A bronze plaque dedicated to the new name of our institution and an effigy of King Carol I were unveiled. The bust of “Carol Iˮ was placed in the niche in front of the Professors’ Reading Room.

The Conferences of the “Carol Iˮ University Foundation were resumed.

The book and photography exhibition “Carol I – the reconstruction of a destinyˮ was presented to the public.

Their Majesties, King Mihai and Queen Anne, were the guests of honour.

The ceremony of the unveiling of the equestrian statue of King “Carol Iˮ took place in front of the library building, on same the place where the work of the sculptor Ivan Mestrovici was originally located.

“Carol Iˮ Central University Library is the first library in Romania to be included in the cultural itinerary called “Noaptea Muzeelorˮ.

The first edition of the Strada de C’Arte Festival took place, and its aim was to bring together the seven arts in unconventional spaces. Thus, the public was invited to participate in a book fair, and also to visit the library or to attend film screenings, recitals, plays.

All library reading rooms were equipped with wireless internet connection.

On behalf of Her Majesty King Mihai I, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Margaret of Romania awarded the “Crucea Casei Regale a României” to “Carol I” Central University Library. The decoration was handed over during a ceremony at Peleş Castle.

In the Amphitheatre of the “Carol I” Central University Library was held the forum “New perspectives of Romanian-American cooperation based on the Strategic Partnership,” a dialogue forum dedicated to the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the USA, in the context of celebrating 135 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. The event was attended by the President of Romania, Klaus Werner Iohannis.