Franjo Nob. Ciraki’s Legacy Library in the National and University Library in Zagreb

This paper explores the legacy of Franjo Ciraki within the National and University Library in Zagreb (NSK), beginning with a general discussion on personal legacies in heritage institutions. It explains how such collections are understood at NSK and introduces Ciraki’s materials held elsewhere. The core of the study reconstructs the acquisition process of Ciraki’s legacy at NSK, drawing on archival records and analysis of selected items. Since private legacies often arrive fragmented, their full understanding requires tracing former library practices and interpreting material clues such as marginalia. The goal is to present the legacy as a coherent cultural whole, clarify the context of its individual parts, and document its provenance. The study emphasizes the increasing recognition of private libraries and personal legacies as cultural heritage, particularly those from the mid-19th century onward, and the importance of detailed, context-aware cataloguing. Archival materials from NSK and a close physical examination of Ciraki’s books reveal both the pathway of the legacy to the institution and notable features of specific items. This approach underscores the value of preserving both the intellectual and material integrity of such collections.