Summary
In this work we attempted to present the history of founding of social libraries in the region of Požega, using published literature and preserved archival materials on this subject, according to which between 1869 and 1903 in this region there were four social libraries - three of them in the town of Požega and one in the village of Dobrinja. As the first and only institutions of culture, they had major importance in social and cultural development of this area. They were gathering places for progressive young people, educated citizens of Požega and literate peasants eager of education and cultural emancipation. Although the cultural mission of any of these institutions did not last long, their appearance testifies about desire of the progressive population of Požega to be the initiator and head of cultural emancipation and that in these efforts do not fall behind other places in Serbia. The first institution of culture in Požega was its social library, founded on 1st January 1869, 37 years after establishing the town bazaar, and 42 years after appearance of the first social library in Serbia. Little information has been preserved about the founding and work of the first social library in Požega. We do not know its rules, the founding act has not been saved, and the information on founders, administration and members, as well as the exact number of newspapers to which it was subscribed, is incomplete. The ability of the middle class of Pozega between the two world wars to articulate its need for books and information in form of founding first social libraries, and then rural public and social libraries in this region, can be considered a powerful basis and need for the founding of the first public library in Požega, that was established after the Second World War.

Keywords:
Social Library in Požega, Social Library in Dobrinja, workers’ social libraries, Workers’ Association of Požega, workers’ movement, social libraries movement, Serbia, social libraries

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