Municipal Library Štěpánovice

Municipal Library Štěpánovice is a small public library serving the village of Štěpánovice, part of the Předklášteří municipality in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It operates out of the municipal office building at Štěpánovice 13/14, holding a collection of roughly 3,670 volumes used by around 50 regular readers. The library keeps limited weekly hours, opening on Tuesday afternoons.

How did the library get started?

The reading tradition in Štěpánovice dates back to the early 1890s. In 1892–1893, villagers founded a reading society called "Pokrok" ("Progress"), which laid the groundwork for organized library activity in the community. By 1894, the local school library already held 104 volumes, and these were handed over to the Pokrok society's collection. The society was chaired by school headmaster Mořic Pavlík, who led it until 1898. The earliest book collection was kept at the "U Kovářů" inn, with innkeeper Antonín Kovář serving as the first librarian.

Who kept the library running over the decades?

In 1898, teacher Florián Kučera took over as both chairman of the society and librarian, a role he held until his retirement in 1925. Surviving records of the Pokrok society's meetings end in 1906, suggesting the society itself likely wound down around that time, even as library activity continued under its umbrella. Teacher Arnošt Langer succeeded Kučera as librarian in 1926 and remained in charge for more than two decades, until 1950.

What happened to the library during the world wars?

The library survived both world wars, though it changed premises along the way. During the First World War, the collection was moved from the "U Kovářů" inn into a newly built schoolhouse, constructed in 1910–1911. Notably, the municipal library continued operating without interruption throughout the Second World War, a continuity that was far from guaranteed for small rural institutions during that period.

What is the library like today?

Today, the Municipal Library Štěpánovice functions as a standard small-town public library, based in the municipal office building and serving the local community. It is run by librarian Lucie Mašková, who can be reached by phone or email for inquiries and loan extensions. Despite the village's modest size, the library maintains a steady circle of regular readers and continues to serve as a local hub for reading and community life.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the library located? It is located at Štěpánovice 13/14, within the Předklášteří municipality.

When is it open? The library opens on Tuesdays from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

How old is the library's tradition? The reading tradition in Štěpánovice goes back to the early 1890s, making it more than 130 years old.

How large is the collection? The library currently holds approximately 3,670 volumes.

Is it worth a visit for travelers exploring the area? For visitors interested in local history and the everyday life of small Czech villages, the library offers a striking example of a cultural institution that has endured more than a century of political and social change.