Library of the Eparchy of Slavonia

{{Infobox library

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| name = Library of the Eparchy of Slavonia

| library_logo = CoA Eparchy of Slavonia.jpg

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| location = Pakrac, Croatia

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| req_to_access = Open to general public

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| website = [https://eparhija-slavonska.com/biblioteka/ Official website]

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The Library of the Eparchy of Slavonia ({{lang-sr-Cyrl|Библиотека Епархије славонске}}, {{langx|hr|Knjižnica Eparhije slavonske}}), also known as the Pakrac's Library ({{lang-sr-Cyrl|Пакрачка библиотека}}, {{langx|hr|Pakračka knjižnica}}) and abbreviated as PEP,{{cite web |url=https://nsk.hr/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Popis-knjiznica_ustanova-i-njihovih-oznaka.pdf |title=Hrvatska retrospektivna bibliografija 1835.-1940 |trans-title= |publisher=National and University Library in Zagreb |date=n.d. |access-date=12 August 2024 }} is a cultural and historical institution of the Eparchy of Slavonia with a history of approximately 250 years.{{cite web |url=https://www.rts.rs/lat/rts/dijaspora/vesti/5165384/pakracka-biblioteka---knjizevno-neprocenjivo-blago.html |title=Pakračka biblioteka - književno neprocenjivo blago |trans-title= |publisher=Radio Television of Serbia |date=15 April 2023 |access-date=12 August 2024 }}

It is recognized as one of the most significant Serbian Orthodox Church libraries alongside those at the Hilandar Monastery and the Patriarchate of Belgrade. The library contains over 20,000 volumes.{{cite web |url=https://p-portal.net/vladika-jovan-biblioteka-pakracko-slavonske-eparhije-cuva-neprocjenjivo-blago |title=Vladika Jovan: Biblioteka pakračko-slavonske eparhije čuva neprocjenjivo blago |trans-title= |publisher=P-Portal, Privrednik |date=31 January 2020 |access-date=12 August 2024 }} It is notable for its collection of early printed South Slavic books, making it the second-largest collection of its kind in the world. The oldest item in the library is a 1497 edition of Vergil’s works in Latin, acquired with support from the Government of Republika Srpska.

History

The library was established by orthodox bishop Kiril Živković and is today one of the oldest Serb cultural institutions in Croatia.{{cite web |url=https://www.politika.rs/sr/clanak/350310/Obnova-biblioteke-slavonske-eparhije |title=Obnova biblioteke slavonske eparhije |trans-title= |publisher=Politika |date=3 March 2016 |access-date=12 August 2024 }}

During the Croatian War of Independence in 1990s in SAO Western Slavonia the library was at risk of destruction by Croatian forces. The library was relocated twice in that period, with significant portions of its collection saved by Croatian officer Ivan Hiti from Varaždin. He transported the collection to the National and University Library in Zagreb. For this act, Hiti was awarded the Order of Saint Constantine by the Serbian Patriarch in 2013. The library's collection, which includes many books and manuscripts, is now protected by the state due to its historical significance.

After the end of the war library is undergoing a transformation to become a specialized academic institution and research centre.{{cite web |url=https://srbi.hr/biblioteka-eparhije-slavonske-veliko-duhovno-blago-srpskog-naroda/ |title=Biblioteka Eparhije slavonske veliko duhovno blago srpskog naroda |trans-title= |publisher=Srbi.hr Joint Council of Municipalities |date=10 May 2019 |access-date=12 August 2024 }} Unlike a traditional lending library, it will primarily serve as a repository for research, focusing on providing access to its collections for scholarly study.

In 2023 the University of Banja Luka and the Eparchy of Slavonia have established a partnership to advance research related to the library's collections.{{cite web |url=https://lat.rtrs.tv/vijesti/vijest.php?id=507638 |title=Potpisan sporazum između Univerziteta u Banjaluci i Eparhije pakračko-slavonske (VIDEO) |trans-title= |publisher=Radio Televizija Republike Srpske |date=27 March 2023 |access-date=12 August 2024 }} This collaboration is expected to enhance academic access to and utilization of the library's resources.