From the Republic of Užice to the Marshal’s Building: The librarian’s path of Olga Perić

Abstract

Olga Perić (Arsenijević, Stokanović) (Stari Bečej, 1913–1993) was remembered in Serbian cultural history for the complex work tasks she was engaged in. Olga Perić began her career as a librarian during the Second World War and continued from 1953 in Novi Sad and later Belgrade, where she remained until her retirement in 1972. During this period, she proved to be an excellent connoisseur of the profession, to which she made a significant contribution. She actively worked to raise awareness of the importance of educated and trained staff, the introduction and application of international rules in libraries of all types, and made an extraordinary effort in spatial planning and increasing spatial capacities for holding funds. In addition, she proved to be a skilled manager and was remembered for the fact that she did not deviate from the high criteria for the work of the institutions she managed or in the formation of which she participated. This work aims to present the action of O. Perić in Serbian culture, with particular reference to librarianship. She worked in the libraries of Serbia for three full decades, and her work has not been thoroughly reviewed and systematized until now. Using the preserved annual reports of the institutions in which she was engaged, published texts in monographic and serial publications and her works in professional journals will show her efforts to raise awareness of the importance of libraries as well as her contribution to their development.