Providing educational literature for students of Poltava gymnasium (first half of the 19th century). (For studying the history of Ukraine in practical lessons for 9th grade students)

Abstract

The article examines the sources of providing students of Poltava provincial gymnasium with
educational compulsory and additional literature, as well as literature of free choice. The
methods of filling and the nature of the activities of the gymnasium bookstore, fundamental,
student and personal libraries of gymnasium students are characterized, and the ways of
circulation of books between these gymnasium institutions are determined. Teaching in
gymnasiums was to be carried out using textbooks selected by employees of the Main
Directorate of Schools and approved by the Ministry of Public Education. They were sent
from St. Petersburg and, upon orders from provincial gymnasiums, were further printed in
university printing houses. The use of other textbooks and notes was strictly prohibited.
Textbooks sent to gymnasiums were to be sold to students, for which purpose bookstores
were opened at the gymnasiums. The fundamental library of an educational institution
should contain a collection of works by famous classical authors and modern scientists
related to academic disciplines. The sources of the formation of the gymnasium library
included purchases by the gymnasium management and the teacher-supervisor of the
library, donations from local patrons and gymnasium students. The student library collected
by the gymnasium students was kept separately from the fundamental one and was
managed by another teacher. In addition, each gymnasium student had his own small
library, which was replenished with awards, the purchase of educational literature and the
collection of the best recommended books. The article presents the reading circle of a
Poltava gymnasium student in the 1820s. using the example of memoirist S. Geevsky. The
importance of gymnasium libraries and bookstores for Poltava and the southern part of Left
Bank Ukraine was explained by the long absence of other public libraries and bookstores in
the provincial center.