In Chios Island you can find one of the most significant peripheral libraries of Greece, which is the Library of Korais. The Library of Korais was founded by the Ephorate of Orthodox Schools of Chios and it initially operated as a branch of the School of Chios. Father and founder of the library was Adamantios Korais (1748-1833) a great Greek literate and writer. The library was named after the one of the most significant intellectual personalities of Chios Island, Adamantios Korais, when it gained its independence in 1928. The first building of the Library of Korais was destroyed during the massacre of Chios in 1839. The current neoclassical building of the library begun the reconstruction in 1884 with funds by the School Board and took its final form after it was renovated in 1948 and in 1978 by the Agrentis’ family. Major core of the library were the books and the manuscripts of the great writer Korais. During the year 1858 in the Library of Korais was added the library of I. Andreadis, M. and afterwards a large number of literates from Chios Island donated a significant number of books. It was of great significance the enrichment of the library by the Argentis’ family, which donated a variety of books, paintings, maps and other precious exhibits.
Today in Korai’s library you can find more than one hundred thousand volumes of books, with significant and rare publications. The collection also includes important manuscripts codices, maps, pictures, photos and files of newspapers and magazines. Within the Library of Korais, exposed in a special hall, you can see a collection of folk art of the former association of Argenti as well as the rich collection of paintings of the Argentis’ family. The modern library is an institution of public character and continues to be enriched with books and other cultural material, such as by private donations and public benefits.
The Library of Korais is the ideal place for the researchers, the readers and the visitors if you are looking for specific departments like reading sections, lenders, lending mobile unit, folk art museum and gallery.
Library of Korai - Argenti Museum
Address: Korai 2
Telephone: +30 22710 44246– Fax: +30 22710 44246
Visiting Hours:
Monday - Friday: 7.30 a.m. - 3.00pm (Winter)
Friday Afternoon: 5.00pm - 8pm
Saturday: 9.00am - 2.00pm
Tickets for Argenti Museum:
- Full 2 €
- Reduced 0 € for children until 12 years
More information:
http://www.koraeslibrary.gr/frontoffice/portal.asp?cpage=NODE&cnode=1