The founding of the Kalocsan bishopric is closely connected to the name of king St,. Stephan. Our apostolical king in his second decree stated that the bishops are responsible for finding the priests and the prayer-books necessary for the erected churches. Education and such other activities were to be carried out by the bishopric, which made the use of the books indispensable.

During the centuries the number of the books were gradually growing, since the priests were collecting and reading them. The medieval library listed over 300 volumes.

One of the gravest trials of the Hungarian nation is connected to the name of archbishop Pál Tomori, who died as a general in the battle of Mohács. The Turkish hosts occupied the town - left without the archbishop and the lord of the castle - on 15th August 1529. hadai control over the archbishop stayed and waits without sir town. The books were protected and taken away by the fleeing priests, but eventually most of them were destroyed and lost. Only two of them got back to Kalocsa in later years.

After the countermarch of the Turks the books began to be collected again. According to the Kollonich Conventio (1715) every bishop is to leave their books with the bishopric and the library. Thus the collection started growing again.

In 1776 Ádám Patachich, bishop of Nagyvárad, brought 7825 volumes to Kalocsára, when the building of the beautiful baroque library was finished. At his death his collection numbered up to 19.000 volumes. His successor, László Kollonich (1787-1817) also left 23.000 volumes to the bishopric library.

Up to now these two collections have made up the core of the Bishopric Library. Particularly precious is the manuscript collection, of which there are 64 medieval codexes. The library also owns 508 incunabula.

The contemporary substance contain 160.000 volumes. Their recatalogisation and computerization works are constantly carried forward. The library still functions as a scientific library, and not as a book museum. Some of the reare and most valueable pieces are exhibited on the corridors.

Computerized catalogue: ORBIS database-handler system.
Technical facilities: photocopiers, computers, microfilm reading, multimedia PC.
Services: on the spot reading, loan, photocopying, literature research, microfilm reading, computer facilitates.
Separate coollections: manuscripts, incunabula, maps, periodicals, calendars, region history, photography, coins.