HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY

The beginnings of the library date back to the year 1991 i.e., the opening of the Nowy Sącz School.

1993 marks an important moment in the development of the WSB-NLU library since in that year, an American corporation University Microfilms International (UMI) donated to WSB-NLU all the necessary equipment for the electronic library (computers, printers, CD-ROM drives, furniture) and two data bases: General Periodicals Ondisc (GPO) and Business Periodicals Ondisc (BPO) comprising the period between 1987-93, which for three years were updated free of charge by the University Microfilms International (UMI). Since 1996, the school has received updated CD-ROMS through a subscription.

Together with promoting the electronic library internally and outside of the institution, an intensive work was carried out in order to supplement and file printed resources (years:1995 - 1997- alphabet and subject directories). A purchase of a professional library management program was being considered; however, in this initial period it was a priority to provide students with necessary bibliography to support their education. Consequently, the majority of funds were spent towards this goal.

The 1997/1998 academic year brought an expansion of the computer facilities, their integration with the school's computer network and a broader use of the Internet and electronic mail.

In 1999, a construction of the library's own databases started, which were later made available in the intranet (Library News Bulletin and the Undergraduate, Graduate and MBA Thesis Database). In this period, new CD-Rom-based databases were also purchased and tested.

Year 2000 - a purchase of a complex library management system- PROLIB.

This year also the Library web site was launched.

In 2001 the graphic module of the OPAC WWW was launched.

In March 2002, an official opening of the new reading rooms took place.

In the 2002/2003 academic year, a new check-out desk was opened and a new system was launched that allows an electronic access to resources.

In the 2003/2004 academic year, the library implemented an electronic check-out system, which greatly facilitated rendering services to users.

At present, the Library offers a complex of reading rooms, seating 120 users (General, Electronic and Periodicals Reading Rooms), Check-out section, the Filing section and storage facilities (for approx. 60,000 volumes). The library facilities cover an area of 750 m2 and are equipped with: an air-conditioning system, an electronic holdings protection system (3 M) and computer facilities comprising: 11 computers, 10 terminals, printers, copiers and a scanner. Each section serves users 68 hours a week, which provides convenient conditions for all library's users, approx. 5000 people.

WSB-NLU Library in Nowy Sącz offers rich electronic resources stored on CD-ROMs. For example, the chronological scope of the General Periodicals Ondisc and Business Periodicals Ondisc databases goes back to as far as 1986 and many scientific journals are available in Poland only at WSB-NLU. These resources make the WSB-NLU Library unique among other, not only non-state school, libraries.

As a partner of an American university, WSB-NLU library has an access to the electronic resources of the NLU library, which offers additional opportunities to the School's academic community.

Plans for the next academic year include upgrading of the computer facilities and implementing further conveniences for our users.