THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY IN PULA IN THE PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ISTRIAN MUSICAL HERITAGE

Abstract

The University Library in Pula has been an integral part of the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula since its establishment in 2006, supporting the educational, scientific, and professional activities of this higher education institution in Istria. The library was originally founded in 1949 under the name Scientific Library and this year (2025) it will celebrate its 75th anniversary of continuous activity, during which period it went through various organisational forms and name changes. Throughout its development, it became the successor to several historical libraries (such as the Imperial and Royal Naval Library, the Provincial Library of Istria, and others), as well as the inheritor of numerous private collections, including notable holdings from Antonio Smareglia, Mijo Mirković, Eduard Čalić, Matko Rojni and others. Throughout all stages of its existence, the library remained true to its primary mission—preserving written cultural and scientific heritage and ensuring access to knowledge and culture for a wide range of users: citizens, members of the academic community, researchers, students, institutions, and book lovers. In this regard, it has grown into a lasting cultural centre and a key factor in preserving the identity of the Istrian region. The library’s role in preserving and promoting musical heritage is particularly evident through the collection, acquisition, cataloguing, archiving, and presentation of music materials. Special attention is given to the traditional and artistic music of Istria, reflected in the development of thematic collections and the organisation of cultural and educational programs. Notable exhibitions include From Letters to Notes (Ornela Žerić, June 2019) and B Side: The Music That Cannot Be Seen (Damjana Frančić and Sonja Brhanić, February 2023). A highlight among professional programs is the lecture Two Almas by musicologist Marijana Pinter, held in cooperation with the Austrian Cultural Forum in Zagreb. The library also hosts music events in collaboration with the Music Academy in Pula and various musicians, including a concert by Marija Kuhar Šoša on August 16, 2022. These further affirm its role as a relevant cultural hub in the region. Through its educational activities, the library contributes to the development of information literacy and introduces visitors to ways of using information resources, thereby strengthening its position within the local community.
By analyzing the music collection, collaboration with academic and cultural institutions, and popularization programs, the library’s contribution to the preservation and accessibility of the specific musical heritage of Istria is explored.The findings show that the library does not act solely as an archival institution but also as an active promoter of cultural heritage. This is further supported by the digitization project INO, aimed at processing and providing access to Istrian newspapers from 1808 to the present day, as well as publishing efforts—such as the proceedings Getting to Know Antonio Smareglia (2019). The research presents activities carried out from 2017 to September 30, 2024 the present, with a focus on analysing library collections related to Istrian musical heritage. The continuation of digitizing music materials is recommended for their long-term preservation and greater accessibility. It is also important to further develop collaborations with local musicians, cultural associations, and educational institutions. The visibility of the collections could be enhanced through the use of digital platforms and social media, while public events such as lectures, workshops, and concerts could further contribute to the promotion of heritage.
This work contributes to understanding the role of libraries as interdisciplinary spaces in contemporary society, with particular emphasis on their importance in preserving and popularizing regional musical heritage.