Super User
History
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The history of our library is divided into three periods:
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As the book collection grew bigger so did the need to build a spacious building to house it. In 1817, a new and impressive building was erected, which consisted of a “solid stone construction with a dome made of long arches”, as Marsellus describes it. According to Al. Vlastos, the construction cost amounted to 80,000 kuruses. This was clearly a public library, in other words access was free to residents of the island but also to those who lived close by. In 1822, it was estimated that the library possessed over 20,000 volumes, all of which were destroyed by the Turks. |
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| The building’s façade was decorated with the sphinx, a symbol used in Chios’ ancient coins, and a plaque where the names of the trustees and the date of construction were engraved. The plaque was created by sculptor Ant. Frangoulis. Nikolaos Politis was entrusted with cataloguing close to 11,000 volumes. Unfortunately, the newly erected building, a true labour of work and sacrifices, would not live long. As a result of the horrendous and devastating 1881 earthquake, the building was severely damaged and had to be demolished. Fortunately, none of its priceless books was lost, although they all fell of their racks and were scattered. | ||
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| Philippos P. Argenti, a prominent citizen of Chios, benefited the library in more than one ways. He financed the construction of the additional floor and donated his personal book, painting, map, album and precious items collection. 1969 marked the opening ceremony of the Folklore Museum. The works undertaken between 1974 and 1978 to expand, modify and rearrange the layout of the current building were financed by Pantelis Argenti, Philippos’ son. The library’s neighbouring building was given gradually to the library. It used to serve as the city’s old School for girls; it currently houses the library’s Information Centre, the Cataloguing Department, the Educational Programs Department, the Computers for Persons with Disabilities Department and the Digitalized Documents Department. Since 1993, when the building of the School for girls was entirely ceded to the library, the library’s Board of Trustees has been elaborating a plan for a new expansion. | ||
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Important Dates
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Introduction
The Koraes Library is Chios’ central public library. A historic institution whose history goes back to 1792, it is one of the oldest and biggest libraries in Greece. Originally, the library was an annex to the Great School of Chios. Its first collection consisted of books belonging to Adamantios Koraes and other Greek intellectuals from abroad. Following the destruction of the library during the massacre of Chios in 1822, Koraes sent more books to help rebuild its collection. In 1833, Adamantios Koraes passed away. His will stipulated that a considerable portion of his book and manuscript collection be sent to Chios.
In 1881, a devastating earthquake hit the island of Chios. Given the extent of the damage, a decision was made to house the library in its current building. In 1948, Philip Argenti financed the construction of the library’s second floor. Between 1975 and 1978, the building was expanded and modernized in order to house the Argenti folklore collection. Over the years, the library has managed to acquire priceless books, manuscripts, periodicals, newspapers, paintings, coins, maps and other items of great value through donations by eminent intellectuals.
One of the library’s most valuable treasures is the Description de l’Égypte, a series of 14 illustrated volumes, published between 1809 and 1822, donated by Napoleon in honour of Adamantios Koraes.
Born in 1748, Adamantios Koraes studied medicine at Montpellier in France and moved to Paris in 1788. Koraes never practiced medicine. Instead, he became a brilliant philologist and one of the intellectual instigators of the 1821 Greek Revolution. His motherland, which was under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire, and his beloved Chios were constantly on his mind.
Rules and Regulations
24.01.07
Library Access
All users:
- May enter the library’s reading room upon authorization from the librarians.
- Must declare all personal belongings, such as books, folders, backpacks, purses, etc.
- Must fill out a form listing the books and other items they wish to consult.
- Must ask for assistance from the front desk personnel to search the book catalogue.
- May consult up to three (3) books at a time. Additional books may be accessed only when all previously used material is returned. All books must be returned to the front desk at the end of opening hours.
- Must inform the front desk of the books they would like to use for research at a later date.
- Must request special permission from the Director to consult manuscripts, albums, rare books and archives. Visitors must previously declare that this material will be accessed for research purposes only.
Photocopy books and other material
- Books that are 50 years old or less may be photocopied. However, there are restrictions on the number of photocopies that may be made, and there may be a prohibition from copying a book altogether. Photocopyinganentirebook is not permitted. For books that are more than 50 years old, special permission must be obtained from the Director of the library.
- Photocopying manuscripts, codes, maps, newspaper clippings or pages, archives, albums and other material of historical value is prohibited in order to avoid their destruction or deterioration. This material may be reproduced with the help of a digital camera. In this case, users must submit a written request to the Director for approval.
- Photocopying any text which does not belong to the library is prohibited.
- Users are required to pay for the cost of the photocopies. The amount due is payable to the librarian.
Users:
- are not allowed in the book stack area
- are kindly requested to maintain a calm, clean and quiet environment
- are not allowed to smoke in the library
- cannot exchange books or any other material with other users
- should be aware that theft, misappropriation, replacement, destruction of books and/or manuscripts fall within the provisions of criminal law.
Opening Hours
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Management & Personnel
Based on the Board of Directors Governance, all members have to be present at the meetings, when they are called by the Chair.
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Αναζήτηση
Koraes Library
Korai 2
Chios 821 00
Tel: +30 2271044246
Fax: +30 2271080680
e-mail: [email protected]
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