Gorky Science Library

Founded in 1925, this theater was one of the first Ukrainian theaters in the country.

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Tel: 232193 (General number), 234536 (Museum), 231070 (Canadian-Ukrainian Library)
Email: ognb@ognb.odessa.ua

The Gorky Science Library, established in 1829, was the second public library in Russia (the first was in St. Petersburg). It was first located at the semi-circular building on Primorsky Boulevard 7 (Приморский Бульвар), overlooking the Duke Monument and Primorsky (Potemkin) Stairs.

The current building for the library was built in 1904-1906 by architect F. Nesturkh. At the time, it was regarded as the best library built in all of Russia. It was opened to the public in 1829.

Today the Gorky Science Library is the largest library in Odessa, with over 5 million books in over 100 languages.

The central section is occupied by reading rooms. The right wing has offices. The left wing and basement house the books.

The memorial plaque to the left of the entrance reads: Here in 1941 worked Hero of the Soviet Union, who took part in the defense of Odessa and Sebastopol, sniper Ludmila Mikhailovna Pavlichenko 1916-1974

The museum includes a collection of miniature books.

The most interesting is Galileo Galilei's Letter to a Madam Christina. When printed late in the 19th century it was the world's smallest book, measuring 11 x 16 mm (.4 x .6 inch).

The collection also includes Dante's Divine Comedy (34 x 38 mm / 1.3 x 1.5 inches), published in Italy in the 19th century, the works of Ivan Kyrlov (22 x 29 mm / .86 x 1.14 inches) published in St. Petersburg in 1885.

The museum is closed summers until September, excursions 10 people minimum (10 each), must write a paper why they want to see the library museum.

(Today's smallest book according to the Guinness Book of World Records is a 0.04-inch-wide edition of "Old King Cole" located in Cal Poly library in California, USA)

Odessa is highly literate, with a nearly 100% (universal) literacy rate. There are over 200 libraries in Odessa.

Cathedral Park area

Cathederal Park · Vorontsov Monument · Sadovaya Street
Two universities · Odessa's "new bazaar" · Gorky Science Library

Odessa Medical University | Lutheran church | Peresypsky Bridge