ULA University Library

Czuczor-Fogarasi (1862–1874) has not heard of this conception yet. [Name of the dictionary of the hungarian language in 1862–1874.] The Pallas (1893–1897) [another dictionary] writes about it as an important part of the mail history, mentioning the invention’s path from London to Paris, Berlin and New York. As for its use in Budapest: it will not happen as long as the costs are this high, and the diameter of the tube so small, thus not being profitable enough. The Pallas adds that Budapest wants to follow the French example of a centrally controlled post service.

The scene speaks for itself. Long rows of tables densely placed next to each other, four rows on both sides of the room.  This type of table suitable for two persons became common in 1943. There are still a few pieces of these that can be found in the reading rooms. At these tables, in the busy periods (during the directorship of Zoltán Ferenci between 1900-1926, or in the 1950s-60s-70s) 124 visitors could sit down. But what was the real seating capacity of the University Library in former times?

We know from József Szinnyei’s diary that the University Library’s patio was not as bleak as some of us might remember from earlier years. On the contrary, it used to be a comfortable venue with verdured trees of merry social events, both private and institutional. These gatherings were especially frequent during the directorship of director-general Sándor Szilágyi (1878-1899).