Establishment of a municipal public library and reading room in Úpica

Since the 19th century, Úpice has been a very lively place, including in the field of library and reading. In 1836, dean P. Vincenc Matějka established a school library and donated 50 gulden for the initial purchase of good books, "so that the hearts of readers are ennobled, their minds are saved from the poison of newfangled writings and they are educated with useful lessons". It contained a number of books on industry and crafts that were…