Obituary: István Papp (1931-2023)
On behalf of both current and former staff members of the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of István Papp, our former Deputy Director General.
István Papp, born in Zalaegerszeg in 1931, was widely recognized in the city as the son of a confectioner's family. His formative years were greatly influenced by his attendance at the Benedictine High School in Pannonhalma, and this connection with the monastic order continued throughout his lifetime. In 1956, he graduated from ELTE with a degree in library science. He began his career as a public librarian in Zalaszentgrót. He traveled through the villages as a kind of bicycle methodologist. He later continued his work at the Pest County Library. From 1959 onwards, he worked at the Education Department of the Centre for Library Science and Methodology (KMK) at the National Széchényi Library. In this role, he organized secondary courses for people who wanted to become librarians. In later years, he served in the Administration Department, and from 1965, he worked in the Library Department of the Ministry of Education. Between 1969 and 1982, he played a pivotal role during the legendary era of the Centre for Library Science and Methodology. His contributions included modernizing education, consolidating the 'New Books' program, establishing an unified national library network, and pioneering sociological studies on reading. From 1982 to 1985, he served as the secretary of the National Council of Libraries. From 1985 until his retirement in 1998, it marked the peak of his professional career and the commencement of the modernization of the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library. During this period, he energetically and enthusiastically spearheaded the reconstruction of the Central Library.
So far, this is a brief outline of his professional biography.
Let me reflect on some of the underlying thoughts that have guided his journey.
From that point onward, I recall him not as István Papp but as Pista Papp, who was my class teacher in the librarianship course in 1961. He took us on study trips and made us read Plato. By 1973, he had become my boss at the renowned KMK during the era of the 'Three Pistas': Uncle Pista Sallai, Pista Papp, and Pista Kamarás. Together, they created the conditions for our work, sparking our creativity and imagination.
In 1985, he, alongside Jenő Kiss, initiated a wave of innovative changes. This included strategic planning, stock renewal, the introduction of the open shelves at the Central Library, making the network's libraries more family-friendly, and central supply organization, with assistance from Sándor Katsányi, another rejuvenated phoenix and former KMK member.
After years of administrative and other work, Pista Papp returned to his role as a public librarian.
He actively participated in the comprehensive transformation of the Central Library, working closely with architects and interior designers to realize his plans and visions. Concurrently, he visited district libraries, using his unique approach to persuade colleagues to break free from their routines. Perhaps he was occasionally more assertive than necessary, but he compensated by actively engaging in the work, even rolling up his sleeves to arrange shelves and shelve books when needed, making the small library cozier.
His professional life was closely linked to his involvement in both the Association of Hungarian Librarians and IFLA. He used three languages for communication, whether at international conferences or when interacting with visiting library professionals.
After completing the significant task and Pista's retirement, he, along with his friend and colleague Tibor Horváth, dedicated several years to create a comprehensive five-volume modern librarian's handbook and subsequently formulated the code of ethics for librarians.
He was an avid reader, immersing himself in Dante's original works and comparing them with Babits and Nádasdy translations. He approached Géza Komoróczy's two extensive volumes on 'The History of the Jews in Hungary' with the same enthusiasm he had for Scandinavian crime novels. He took pleasure in visiting the Library of Bosnyák utca, exploring the Bosnyák Square Market Hall, and meeting his old friend Sanyi Katsányi for a weekly beer. He remained lively and spirited until he grew quiet and weary. He lived to the age of 92. May he rest in peace.
Katalin Havas