Trial Acceess to Oxford English Dictionary

Oxford University Press offered trial access to its product, Oxford English Dictionary (OED) until end of May. The service is available at ELTE after logging into the university's Internet network or remotely via VPN.

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language. It is an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and usage of 500,000 words and phrases past and present, from across the English-speaking world.

As a historical dictionary, the OED is very different from dictionaries of current English, in which the focus is on present-day meanings. You will still find present-day meanings in the OED, but you will also find the history of individual words, sometimes from as far back as the 11th century, and of the language – traced through 3.5 million quotations, from classic literature and specialist periodicals to film scripts, song lyrics, and social media posts.

Source/author of illustration:
https://languages.oup.com/research/oxford-english-dictionary/

Book presentation for our adopter

In the framework of our book adoption programme, our restorer and old book librarian offered our adopter a detailed presentation of the supported book.

Georgina Sofia Lazaridisz adopted the book Amores Josephini ... (The Love of Saint Joseph...) by Gábor Hevenesi on behalf of Healthwhatelse Ltd. The ceremonial presentation of the certificate and the book launch took place on Joseph's Day.

Gábor Hevenesi (1656–1715) was a Jesuit theologian and historian, and the provincial of the Hungarian Jesuit Province. First he taught in Trnava, then in Vienna and Graz. He was the counsellor of Leopold Kollonich, archbishop of Esztergom. At the archbishop's request Hevenesi launched the collection of historical documents pertaining to Hungary. The material gathered during this enterprise fills 91 manuscript volumes preserved today in the University Library and Archives.

Hevenesi was a prolific author: he published more than 30 books. His book titled Amores Josephini was published in 1692 in Vienna at the Leopold Voigt’s University Press that published a great number of Hungarian documents. Although the strengthening of the cult of St. Joseph in the West had started already in the high Middle Ages, the real heyday of the production of writings and meditative treatises on him took place in the 16th and 17th centuries. Emperor Leopold (r. 1657–1705) offered the Habsburg realms to the patronage of St. Joseph and named his son after him. According to Hevenesi, who relied on earlier literary tradition, the saint was born without pain by his mother and took a vow of chastity as a mature man. Joseph is represented in this work as the head of the Holy Family and a caring father, who lays his son to sleep and feeds the baby Jesus, later teaches him to read and write, as well as carpentry. After his death, Joseph could occupy his place next to his spouse before Christ.

We would like to thank our book-adoptor for saving this book.

For detailed information about our book adoption programme, please visit our website. Adopt a book yourself! Our list of books for adoption is available here.

 

Our adopted book:

RMK III 557/2
 

Amores Josephini, sive divorum amabilissimi, divini amoris nutritii, Mariae sponsi, ditionum Austriacae domui subditarum patroni tutelaris, Josephi vita, fovendis piorum cordium amoribus ab ejusdem honori addictissimo academico, e caesareo Societatis Jesu Collegio Viennensi iconibus, et affectibus illustrata, anno MDCXCII Viennae Austriae [Wien]: typis Leopoldi Voigt, Universitatis Typographi, [1692]

Amores Josephini … (Szent József szeretete…) című mű

 

Source/author of illustration:
ELTE ULA

Mosaics from the heritage of ELTE – March 2024

Object of the month – Theodor von Sickel commemorative medal

In the 245-piece numismatic collection of the ELTE University Library and Archives – University History Collection, we keep many commemorative medals and plaques. Mainly objects made in the 20th century were collected, but we also have 18 commemorative medals from the 1800s.

Based on their nature and provenance research, these could be gifts from partner institutions’ and important people's anniversaries or other events. For example, the historian Sándor Szilágyi (1827–1899), the former director of the University Library, received some medals as a gift, and after his death he left them to our institution in his will. Among these, we chose the decorative Theodor von Sickel commemorative medal as the object of the month.

The bronze commemorative medal was made in Vienna in 1887 and was designed by the Austrian Anton Scharff (1845–1903). The medal image on the obverse depicts a bust of a man with a beard and mustache facing right, as well as a coat of arms on the lower right side. On the left side of the image, the master mark is visible, the rim is decorated with a string of pearl motif. Inscription: „THEODORO EQITI AB SICKEL”; in the inner circle: „PROF. P. XXX ANNOS VINDOBONENSI”.

The reverse of the medal depicts a seated female figure holding a tablet and writing implements, surrounded by three young boys holding instruments symbolizing the sciences. In the background, the facade of the main building of the University of Vienna, handed over in 1884, can be seen. The rim is decorated with a string of pearl motif. Circumscription in Latin: „RERUM GESTARUM INVESTIGATORI SUBTILISSIMO”.

The inscription below the medal image: „AMICI ET DISCIPULI / VENERABUNDI / MDCCCLXXXVII”.

Theodor von Sickel (1826–1908) was a historian researching the Middle Ages, and a significant representative of diploma studies. In 1867, he received his appointment at the University of Vienna, and the commemorative medal was created for the 30th anniversary of his professorship.

Theodor von Sickel medal

 

Source/author of illustration:
ELTE University Library and Archives - University History Collection

Trial Acceess to Oxford English Dictionary

Oxford University Press offered trial access to its product, Oxford English Dictionary (OED) until end of May. The service is available at ELTE after logging into the university's Internet network or remotely via VPN.

Oxford University Press is also organizing a webinar in English to help you get to know and use the database at the following times.

Oxford English Dictionary

Thu, Mar 14

12:00 AM - 1:00 PM CET

Online event

Oxford English Dictionary

Wed, Mar 20

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CET

Online event

 

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language. It is an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and usage of 500,000 words and phrases past and present, from across the English-speaking world.

As a historical dictionary, the OED is very different from dictionaries of current English, in which the focus is on present-day meanings. You’ll still find present-day meanings in the OED, but you’ll also find the history of individual words, sometimes from as far back as the 11th century, and of the language—traced through 3.5 million quotations, from classic literature and specialist periodicals to film scripts, song lyrics, and social media posts.

Source/author of illustration:
https://languages.oup.com/research/oxford-english-dictionary/

Trial access to Scopus AI and webinar

Elsevier Publishing provides trial access to its new product, Scopus AI, from the 4th of March to the 4th of April 2024. The service is available from the university premises after logging into ELTE's internet network directly, or remotely via VPN.

Scopus AI is an intuitive and intelligent search tool based on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) that helps you navigate the vast amount of information available in Scopus. It allows us to find articles using a natural language query, as well as prepares easy-to-understand summaries of research results. It provides assistance in mapping new research areas and finding opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation.

More information about Scopus AI can be found in the attached flyer and the following link:

https://www.elsevier.com/products/scopus/scopus-ai

Elsevier Publishers welcomes your experiences and comments regarding the use of Scopus AI.

The publisher welcomes all interested parties to its webinar in English, in which it presents the use and possibilities of Scopus AI.

Date of the webinar: 5 March 2024 (Tuesday) 11.00 AM

Registration

Source/author of illustration:
https://www.elsevier.com/products/scopus/scopus-ai

Library visit by the ambassadors of the National Association of Doctoral Students

The ambassadors of the National Association of Doctoral Students, doctoral students studying in Hungary with the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship visited the University Library and Archives on the 24th of February 2024.

Within the framework of the ambassadorial scheme of the National Association of Doctoral Students, foreign doctoral students studying in Hungary represent the scientific community of their country, organising conferences, lectures and outreach events.

The delegation, which visited the Franciscan Square Library Palace, represented nearly thirty countries from Europe, Africa, Asia and South America, with the aim of strengthening international scientific, professional and cultural cooperation.

The cultural programme of the two-day workshop, which took place over the weekend, included an insight into our library history, a chamber exhibition of documents related to the Hungarian Jesuit missions in South America, and an interactive exhibition on the life and work of Loránd Eötvös. The project aims to promote the integration and cultural integration of foreign doctoral students living in the country, and to broaden and enrich the spectrum of international professional cooperation.

Source/author of illustration:
ELTE, Norbert Bencze, presidential envoy for the ambassadorial system

Trial access to De Gruyter's e-books

De Gruyter has offered trial access to the De Gruyter All eBooks package. Trial access lasts until the 30th of April 2024.

Contents of the package available during trial access: more than 63,000 e-books, 29 disciplines, including the latest books in the humanities, natural sciences and technology.

The content is available by clicking the Search results (degruyter.com) link, connecting to ELTE's internet network, or using a VPN service.

Source/author of illustration:
https://www.degruyter.com/assets/images/df0bb0142a657908b8a82934a05f675f-dg-logo-footer.svg

Book exchange programme starts in the Library Club

With the support of the ELTE University Library and Archives, Kipcor Kft. has launched a book exchange programme in the Library Club.

From 19 February 2024, the guests of the Library Club will be able to choose freely from the new bookshelf opposite the entrance, where anyone is invited to bring in their books for free. A reading corner will be provided for the comfort of reading on the spot. Our library has contributed to the success of the book exchange programme by officially displaying twenty carefully selected books on fiction, literature and economics, welcoming the initiative. The event was organised with the participation of the Student Council representatives from the ELTE Faculty of Humanities and the ELTE Faculty of Economics as well as several students. We wish all visitors a pleasant reading experience!

Source/author of illustration:
ELTE ULA

Book launch for our adopters

In the framework of our book adoption programme, our conservator and reference librarian gave our adopters a detailed presentation of the supported volumes.

Dávid Archibald Karácsony PhD and Brigitta Schvéd adopted Andreas Eudaemon-Joannes' Apologia pro Henrico Garneto Angelo (1610). The Greek Jesuit Andreas Eudaemon-Joannes (1560?–1625) published his Apologia in 1610, in which he defended the Jesuit Henry Garnet (1555–1606). Garnet was condemned in 1606 by the Privy Council, which counted among its members Sir Edward Coke (mentioned in the title). The reason: Garnet knew about the existence of Robert Catesby’s Gunpowder Plot (1605) but did not notify the king about it. This simple but historically important book was in the library of the Jesuit College of Trnava already in 1619. It has a rather ragged parchment binding, the front cover started to get loose. Thanks to the support of our book patrons, the volume will be restored and made available in a renewed form for future generations.

Kristóf Dallman has adopted the book Meteorologia philosophico-politica by Gábor Szerdahelyi (1660–1726), a Jesuit doctor of philosophy and theology, illustrated with natural and weather emblems. The volume contains moral, philosophical and political commentaries. The work consisting of 12 sections (dissertatio) and containing 2+82 copperplate engravings was published by Johannes Andreas in Nagyszombat (Trnava) under the title Meteorologia philosophico-politica. The engravers included Wolfgang Joseph Kadorizi, Andreas Trost, and Andreas Matthäus Wolfgang. The question (questio) and the answer (conclusio) to it are always connected to the image with the motto. Among the Meteorologia’s sources we find ancient authors, modern natural historians and philosophers alike, as well as the wide range of natural phenomena, ranging from lightning to earthquake.

For detailed information about our book adoption programme, please visit our website. Adopt a book yourself! Our list of books for adoption is available here.

 

Our adopted books:

Bar. 01603 Andreas Eudaemon-Joannes: R. P. Andreae Eudaemon-Ioannis Cydonii e Societate Iesu, ad actionem proditoriam Edouardi Coqui, Apologia pro R. P. Henrico Garneto Anglo, eiusdem Societatis sacerdote Coloniae Agrippinae [Köln]: apud Ioannem Kinckium, anno MDCX [1610]

Bar. 01603 Andreas Eudaemon-Joannes: R. P. Andreae Eudaemon-Ioannis Cydonii e Societate Iesu, ad actionem proditoriam Edouardi Coqui, Apologia pro R. P. Henrico Garneto Anglo, eiusdem Societatis sacerdote Coloniae Agrippinae [Köln]: apud Ioannem Kinckium, anno MDCX [1610]

RMK II 507a

Meteorologia philosophico-politica, in duodecim dissertationes per quaestiones meteorologicas et conclusiones politicas divisa, appositisque symbolis illustrata, honori inclytae regiae camerae Scepusiensis inscripta a nobili ac erudito domino Joanne Vitézy de Dobó, AA. LL., et philosophiae baccalaureo, ac pro suprema ejusdem auspicijs universam philosophiam publice propugnandam mense Junio MDCII in Alma Archi-Episcopali Universitate Tyrnaviensi susciperet. Praeside R. P. Gabriele Szerdahelyi e Societate Jesu, AA. LL. et Philosophiae doctore, ejusdemque professore ordinario. Tyrnaviae [Trnava] : typis Academicis, per Joannem Andream Hörmann, MDCCII [1702]

[4], 297, [5] p. [2] t.fol. ill., 84 copperplate engraving; 32 cm (2o)

Arc indication: a2 A-Z4 Aa-Pp4

RMK II 2137

RMK II 507a Meteorologia philosophico-politica, in duodecim dissertationes per quaestiones meteorologicas et conclusiones politicas divisa, appositisque symbolis illustrata, honori inclytae regiae camerae Scepusiensis inscripta a nobili ac erudito domino Joanne Vitézy de Dobó, AA. LL., et philosophiae baccalaureo, ac pro suprema ejusdem auspicijs universam philosophiam publice propugnandam mense Junio MDCII in Alma Archi-Episcopali Universitate Tyrnaviensi susciperet. Praeside R. P. Gabriele Szerdahelyi e Societate Jesu, AA. LL. et Philosophiae doctore, ejusdemque professore ordinario. Tyrnaviae [Trnava] : typis Academicis, per Joannem Andream Hörmann, MDCCII [1702]

 

 

Source/author of illustration:
ELTE ULA

Mosaics from heritage of ELTE – February 2024

Object of the month – Commemorative plaque of Trefort Ágoston Teacher Training High School

ELTE Trefort Ágoston Gyakorló Teacher Training High School has been committed to the high-level cultivation of teacher training and the creation of high-quality education since the beginning, but sport only gradually became part of the students' everyday life. Although in 1872 - the year the school was founded - there was a secondary school bill for four gym lessons a week, but until 1928 only two lessons a week were introduced. At the same time, however, the children's passion for sports made its way under the guidance of enthusiastic teachers.

In the 1898/99. academic year instead of a the former club, the literature and sports division was established: in bad weather, students read their own works or held lectures and analyzed works, while in good weather they played various sports, even organized a home football match.

In the following years, the sport club gradually expanded with the rise of various winter-summer, indoor and outdoor sports. For example, the swimming division was founded in 1926, and the beginnings were summarized in the school's yearbook (page 34): "...by setting it up, we not only opened up one of the most useful sports to the students, but also satisfied their wishes, as evidenced by the large number of members: 45 student entered the division. They held their practices once a week in the swimming pool of the Rudas Thermal Bath in the framework of „KISOSz” training under the leadership of Sándor Kugler."

In the 1940/41. academic year there were already 13 divisions within the sport club, the head of it was Miklüs Bély, the gym teacher of the high school. The students could play different sports, from table tennis to skiing, and in addition to practice lessons, they could also participate in institutional and KISOK (National Center for Sport Clubs of High Schools) competitions. The swimmers could measure themselves in various distances and events at the institutional competition organized on April 22, 1941.

In the school's collection, there is a commemorative plaque of the swimming division of the sport club, two metal plaques are attached to the white marble base. The upper circular plaque (diameter: 5 cm) depicts two men looking to the left. The figure in the back wears Roman or Greek dress (presumably representing Mars/Ares), and has one hand on the shoulder of the young man in the foreground, while the other holds up a small figure of Victoria/Nike, the goddess of victory, on a podium. The naked man in the foreground holds a flag over his right shoulder. The rim is decorated with a string of pearl motif, and below the image of the medal is the mark of the maker, medalist Lajos Berán (1882–1942). The inscription on the plaque is in Hungarian, its meaning is "PRACTICAL HIGH SCHOOL SPORT Club"

The lower, square plaque (4.5x1.5 cm) has a similar inscription, meaning: "SWIMMING / 1940-41 ACADEMIC YEAR" In the lower left corner of the plaque is the manufacturer's mark of Ludvig Ede.

 

Written by Mónika Marácz, Georgina Schlay

Source/author of illustration:
ELTE Trefort Ágoston Teacher Training High School, ELTE University Library and Archives