L’uso pubblico dei libri nell’Ungheria del Cinque e Seicento

The history of the public use of books predates the history of public libraries. The earliest indications of the public use of library collections in Hungary date back to the second half of the thirteenth century. We also find examples of libraries donated for the wider public benefit by scholars who were inspired by humanist values. The Protestant Reformation in Hungary, following Luther’s programme, established public libraries in cities and towns. The present article, besides giving an account of these libraries, also offers an analysis of the frequency with which the note “et amicorum” is found in books and, based on these findings, suggests that within the Hungarian context such an inscription may allude to public use.