DEVELOPING POLISH LANGUAGE COLLECTIONS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: RESOURCES AND SUGGESTIONS (Compiled by Aldona Salska, Reference Librarian, Prospect Heights Public Library District [email protected])
Targeted audience –non-Polish speaking librarians responsible for Polish language collections at public libraries. Goal--to provide a body of knowledge that can guide in developing attractive and respectable Polish collections at public libraries.
I. SELECTION: 1). POLISH CLASSICS AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT POLISH LITERARY WORKS: a). Useful websites: 1. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_literature. This article describes the major periods in the history of Polish literature and lists the most significant authors and works of each period. 2. “Popular Polish Classics Books” http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/polish-classics This website consists of a list 70 significant classic and contemporary Polish titles. b). Polish Nobel laureates: 1. Henryk Sienkiewicz (1905) (literature) 2. Władysław Reymont (1924) (literature) 3. Czesław Miłosz (1980) (literature) 4. Wisława Szymborska (1996) (literature) c). Nike Literary Award winners (Polish Pulitzer Prize) http://www.goodreads.com/award/show/1455-nike-literary-award This website consists of all prizes awarded since 1997 up to 2012 and the newest nominations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike_Award This website consists of prizes awarded up to 2010 with a division between Jury awards and Audience awards. d). You may consider purchasing these authors and titles for your Polish collection. They are either important classics, or well-known and respected pieces of Polish literature.
Adam Mickiewicz (1798–1855), Dziady, Pan Tadeusz Dziady is a poetic drama, considered one of the great works of European Romanticismranked with such works as Goethe's Faust and Byron's Manfred. Pan Tadeusz, is an epic poem first bulbished in June 1834 in Paris.It is considered by many to be the last great epic poem in European literature. Pan Tadeusz is recognized as the national epic ofPoland. A film based on the poem was made in 1999 by Andrzej Wajda Józef Ignacy Kraszewski (1812–1887),Stara baśń Stara baśń is a historical novel published in 1876. The action of the novel takes place in late pre-Christian times, during the reign of mythological ruler Popiel.The story was adapted for the screen by director Jerzy Hoffman in 2003. Juliusz Słowacki (1809–1849),Kordian Kordian is a drama published in 1834; it is one of the most notable works of Polish Romanticism. Eliza Orzeszkowa (1841–1910),Nad Niemnem Nad Niemnem was written in 1888 during the foreign Partitions of Poland. It portrays the Polish society of mid–19th century in the context of the Polish January Uprisingagainst the Russian occupation. The novel was made into movie in 1986 by Zbigniew Kuźmiński. Henryk Sienkiewicz (1846–1916),Quo Vadis; (Nobel Prize), 1905, Ogniem i Mieczem, PanWolodyjowski Quo Vadis? was published in 1896. The title alludes to a New Testament verse (John 13:36). The novel is set in ancient Rome during the reign of the emperor Nero. It has as subtext the persecution and political subjugation of Poland by Russia. In 1905 Sienkiewicz was awarded a Nobel Prize for this novel. It was made into a movie in 1951 by Mervyn LeRoy and in 2001 by Jerzy Kawalerowicz. Ogniem i Mieczem, Potop, Pan Wołodyjowski -- trilogy of historical novels published between 1884 and 1886. In 1884 Poles felt powerless against the Partition, only a few remember free country. Wychowany w tradycjach patriotycznych Sienkiewicz chciał znaleźć w dziejach Polski taki okres, który mógłby "pokrzepić serca" rodaków i znalazł go w wydarzeniach wieku XVII. Raised in the patriotic tradition, Sienkiewicz places these novels in the 17th century --a period of greatness in Polish history that would "revive the heart of" compatriots, and re-establish it in the events of the seventeenth century. Przystąpił więc do pisania obszernego cyklu powieściowego -"Trylogii", na którą złożyły się: "Ogniem i mieczem", "Potop" i "Pan Wołodyjowski". The trilogy was made into a movie in 2002 by Jerzy Hoffman. Bolesław Prus (1847–1912),Lalka Lalka was published as a book in 1890. It gives a comprehensive, compelling picture of a Polish society in the 19thcentury. According to many critics of Polish literatureLalka is the greatest Polish novel. Władysław Reymont (1867–1925); Chlopi (Nobel Prize in Literature 1924). Chłopi is a novel in four parts published between 1904 and 1909. Each of the four parts represents a season in the life of the peasants Autumn (published in 1904), Winter (published in 1904), Spring (published in 1906), and Summer (published in 1909). This division underlines the relationship of human life with nature. A film based on the novel was made in 1973 by Ran Rybkowski. Witold Gombrowicz (1904–1969), Ferdydurke Ferdydurke is a metaphorical novel published in 1937. It has been translatedinto many languages and recognized as one of most outstanding Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz (1894–1980), Sława i Chwała Sława i Chwała is a novel Wydawana była w trzech tomach w latach 1956-1962 (t. I – 1956; t. II – 1958; t. III – 1962).in three volumes published between 1956 and 1962. It is a saga that describes the lives of several families Dzieło to nawiązuje do tradycji sag rodzinnych, przedstawiając dzieje kilku rodzin z różnych kręgów społecznych na przestrzeni lat 1914-1947. from different social circles over the span of 23 years – from 1914 till 1947. Akcja powieści przenosi sięz ziemiańskich ukraińskich dworów, przez europejskie metropolie do Warszawy i okolic. Bruno Schulz (1892–1942),Sanatorium Pod Klepsydrą Sanatorium pod Klepsydrą is a novel in the form of a collection of dreamlike, poetic short stories that reflect on death. It was made into a movie in 1973 by Wojciech Jerzy Has. The film won the Jury Prize at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival. Melchior Wańkowicz (1892–1974),Ziele na Kraterze, Tworzywo Ziele na Kraterze is a novel published in 1957. It takes a reader through family memories, funny, and sometimes poignant. It is an affirmation of life and love. Wisława Szymborska (1923–2012),Nobel Prize in Literature, 1996 Miłośċ Szczęsliwa i Inne Wiersze Miłość Szczęśliwa i inne Wiersze was published in 2007; it is a collection of love Poems. Stanisław Lem (1921–2006),Solaris Solaris is a science fiction novel published in 1961.The book is about the ultimate inadequacy of communication between human and non- human species. Made into a film in 2002 by Steven Soderbergh. Aby złu nie ulec, konieczne jest nieustanne przemieszczanie się. Czesław Miłosz (1911– 2004), Nobel Prize in Literature, 1980 Dolina Issy Dolina Issy is a novel first published in 1955. It describes life in Lithuanian village at the beginning of 20thcentury. It is based on the author’s memories of his childhood. Ryszard Kapuściński (1932–2007), any of his works
2). POLISH AUTHORS LOVED BY MANY POLES (frequently
checked out at our libraries) 1. Bakuła, Hanna 2. Chmielewska, Joanna 3. Gretkowska, Manuela 4. Grochola, Katarzyna 5. Fleszarowa-Muskat, Stanisława 6. Gojawiczynska, Pola 7. Kalicińska, Małgorzata 8. Krajewski, Marek 9. Kuncewiczowa, Maria 10. Lemańska, Hanka 11. Łysiak, Waldemar 12. Myśliwski, Wiesław 13. Nurowska, Maria 14. Osiecka, Agnieszka 15. Redliński, Edward 16. Rodziewiczowna, Maria 17. Rudnicka, Olga 18. Samozwaniec, Magdalena 19. Sapkowski, Andrzej 20. Siesicka, Krystyna 21. Stec, Dominika 22. Sowa, Izabela 23. Szwaja, Monika 24. Wiśniewski, Janusz 25. Wolski, Marcin 26. Wołoszański, Bogusław
3). LISTS OF BESTSELLING TITLES IN POLAND (Polish and international authors) a) http://merlin.pl/ksiazki/bestsellery/browse/bestsellers/twoweeks/1.html --A list of 100 bestselling books in Poland, almost all the titles can be found in vendors of Polish books in Chicago b) http://bestsellery.blox.pl/html -- List of bestselling books in Poland c) http://poczytna.pl/ --List of bestselling books with the division on biographies, children books, drama and tragedy, fantasy, history, horror, nonfiction, belles-lettres, psychology, religion, mystery & crime. Most of these titles can be found at the local vendors. 4). AUDIOBOOKS ON CD a) www.empik.com -- On this Polish website you will find a wide selection of audiobooks on CD. 5). CHILDREN LITARATURE a) Popular Polish Authors Writing for Children Bahdaj, Adam Brzechwa, Jan Cichy, Ludwik Chotomska, Wanda Domańska, Antonina Gellner, Dorota Iłłakowiczówna, Kazimiera Janczarski, Czesław Jaworczakowa, Mira Jurgielewiczowa, Irena Kamieńska, Anna Kern, Ludwik Jerzy Konopnicka, Maria Korczak, Janusz Kownacka, Maria Kruger, Maria Makuszyński, Kornel Musierowicz, Małgorzata Mycek-Wodecki, Anna Nienacki, Zbigniew Niziurski, Edmund Nowacka, Ewa Nowak, Ewa Papuzińska, Joanna Porazińska, Janina Siesicka, Krystyna Szelburg-Zarembina, Ewa Szklarski, Alfred Tuwim, Julian Twardowski, Jan b). Children’s literature recommended by ABCXXI - All of Poland Reads to Kids Foundation (http://www.allofpolandreadstokids.org) “Złota Lista / Golden list of Reading 2012”for ages from 0-16. http://tinyurl.com/ABCXXIPolish (original list in Polish) http://tinyurl.com/ABCXXIEnglish (in English using Google Translate) 6). OTHER RESOURCES: Instytut Książki / Book Institute –new books, Polish literature, Polish book market, and more. http://www.bookinstitute.pl/ II. POPULAR VENDORS OF POLISH MATERIAL 1. D & Z House of Books 5714 W Belmont Ave Chicago, IL 60634 el. 1-773-282-4222 E-mail:
[email protected] http://polishhouseofbooks.com/ 2. Eden Polish Bookstore 12000 Joseph Campau St Hamtramck, MI 48212 Tel. 1-313-368-1740 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.edenpolishbookstore.com 3. Polonia Bookstore 4738 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60630 Tel. 1-773-481-6968 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.polonia.com 4. Quo Vadis Polish American Bookstore 3400 N Harlem Ave Chicago, IL 60634 Tel. 1-773-622-1271 http://www.quovadisbooks.net 5. Focus Bookstore 7 A Camp McDonald Road Prospect Heights IL, 60070 Tel. 1-847-749-1180 http://ksiegarniafocus.com/index.php III. PROGRAMS See “Resources” then “Programing”at the Polish American Librarians Association website, www.palalib.org
IV. USEFUL SIGNAGE See “Resources” then“Translations” at the Polish American Librarians Association website, www.palalib.org