“Valzer Beethofen” Moravska Zemska Knihovna  manuscript  RKPMus-0622.826

History of the Moravská Zemská Knihovna:

Founded in the spirit of Enlightenment, the Moravská Zemská Knihovna (MZK) in Brno is today the second-largest library in the Czech Republic and a vital center for culture, research, and the preservation of written heritage.

Origins (1770–1808). Its roots trace back to 1770 with the Library of the Moravian Economic Society, established to promote agriculture, natural sciences, and geography. In 1808, the first recorded item was a treatise on grain loss during sowing—marking the official beginning of the collection.

Growth and Public Access. In 1883, the library was declared public, with a collection of around 45,000 volumes. By 1907, it had moved into the Zemský dům (Regional House), where it remained until 2001. Even then, its metal shelving and book storage systems were considered cutting-edge.

Modern Headquarters and Current Role. Since 2001, the MZK has been housed in a modern building at Kounicova 65a, designed to accommodate over 4 million volumes. It serves as the regional library for South Moravia, and since 2009 has been recognized as a research institution, playing a key role in digitization, education, and cultural programming.

The MZK also preserves rare musical manuscripts