The National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the current war

The National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the most important depository of the national and cultural history of the country, was destroyed on August 25-27, 1992. Since the start of the war in April 1992, and particularly after the destruction of the library, the living and working conditions of the librarians, as well as other citizens of Sarajevo, have been influenced by the brutality of the war. The author shows particular examples of librarians' determination to preserve what was left of the library and to continue the library services during the siege of Sarajevo. The article gives a firsthand observation of the human and cultural destruction in this tragic period. It also describes examples of responses by the international community, types of assistance, and current support for the librarians of the National and University Library.