Raczynski Library - the oldest and one of the largest public libraries in Poland, located in Poznan.

The library was founded by journalist Edward Rachinsky in 1822. Construction work was carried out almost six years, the front facade of the building was built on the model of the Louvre in Paris. The grand opening of the public library 5 May 1829, Racha then donated 10 thousand books from his personal collection. Awesome His desire to create a library of Edward Raczynski explained the desire to preserve the Polish language and culture, especially at a time when Poznan belonged to the Prussian crown.

Regardless of religious, national or social origin, all citizens have the right to visit the library. There were going to scholars, writers and journalists. Library Racha has become a meeting place and the most important educational institution in the region, a symbol of Polish culture. To increase the library collection, Raczynski came up with an interesting way to stimulate citizens: those who donated the library at least 1000 volumes, had the right to have their portrait hung in the reading room. The collection is also enriched by a law enacted by Frederick William III, who required all publishers to send a copy in the library every published book.

During World War II, the library, as well as any other cultural institutions of the city, was closed. Thanks to the efforts of Jozef Racha, the most valuable part of the collection (about 17,000 volumes) were saved, the rest was destroyed. In the postwar years the library was located in the school, as the main building was destroyed. In 1998, the old library building was renovated, and in May 2011 expanded, making it possible to carry out the library themed literary seminars.