Traces of emotions in the regional archives of the Municipal Public Library in Biała Podlaska

The article focuses on the analysis of “regional archival materials” preserved at the Municipal Public Library in Biała Podlaska, with particular emphasis on their source value and the specificity of their functioning within the structure of a public library. The author highlights the role of public libraries as local institutions of memory that collect unique materials of an archival character. Selected examples illustrate how these materials document local history while also containing subtle traces of the individual experiences and emotions of their creators. An important context for the discussion is the development of digital libraries, which enables the preservation and wider dissemination of archival materials, including collections originating from private individuals.