Created: 2025.11.10. 11:05
The Library and Archives of Széchenyi István University has won first place in the Library Challenge competition organized by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, in the category of higher education and specialized libraries, earning a grant of ten million forints. During the competition period, the institution not only increased its visitor, reader, and lending numbers, but also promoted library use among younger generations through numerous community programmes.
Over the years, the Library and Archives of Széchenyi István University has developed into a modern, inspiring community space that supports education, research, and lifelong learning. Its goal is to serve as an open cultural centre for both members of the University and the surrounding community — a place where reading, relaxation, and science meet.
The institution showcased its remarkable development in the Ministry of Culture and Innovation’s Library Challenge initiative. Launched in 2024 in cooperation with the National Széchényi Library, the programme aimed to encourage libraries to use creative and modern methods to promote reading and attract more people back to the world of books, learning, and community experiences. The challenge focused on increasing the number of readers and loans, expanding attendance at library events, and engaging younger audiences.
Széchenyi University’s Library and Archives competed in the category for public higher education and specialized libraries. Throughout the six-month challenge, the staff carefully analyzed event data each month and monitored lending and visitor figures. Their dedication paid off — the institution earned first place in its category, receiving ten million forints in funding.
According to Csilla Tóth, Director of the University Library and Archives, the number of readers increased significantly thanks to initiatives that directly supported learning or library use. “For example, the Path to the Degree programme specifically targeted university students with workshops on research methodology and database management. The Book-kanj ránk! (‘Book Us In!’) campaign invited elementary and high school students to visit the library to get to know university life, laboratories, and modern learning methods up close. Our series of reading and science promotion events further enriched the programme lineup with book launches, author-reader meetings, and quiz nights,” she detailed. The results speak for themselves: during the period examined in the competition, the number of registered readers increased by 217 percent, while the number of loans rose by more than 128 percent.
Community programmes also received an enthusiastic response. The number of visitors more than doubled compared to the previous year, thanks to exhibitions, craft workshops, and other activities that appealed to all age groups. In addition to scientific conferences and competitions, escape rooms such as RePlay Me and Library Labyrinth, as well as a board game corner, emphasized shared experiences — turning the library into a space not only for study but also for entertainment and relaxation.
“Participating in the challenge reaffirmed that a library is not only a guardian of knowledge but also a source of community experience and inspiration,” said Csilla Tóth. “Throughout the competition, we successfully combined traditional library values with the innovative mindset characteristic of our University — an approach we wish to continue. We are proud that our programmes have reached a broad audience and contributed to the promotion of reading, science and culture. These achievements are the result of a dedicated professional team whose work continues to foster openness, creativity, and collaboration within both the University and the Győr community.”
.jpg "Staff of the Széchenyi István University Library and Archives at the award ceremony. Pictured: Eszter Tóthné Marek, Head of Centre; Csilla Tóth, Director; Henrietta Tóth and Péter Hegedüs, Heads of Department (Photo: András Adorján)")
Winning first place in the Library Challenge is a recognition of all the work the Széchenyi István University Library and Archives does to promote reading, research, and community engagement
