The oldest public library in Lviv was founded by the book collection of the ancient Jesuit College (1661). After the founding of Lviv University (1784), the library fund was significantly increased with the help of patrons. In 1848, as a result of the bombing of the city center during the "Spring of Nations", the university and library buildings on Krakivska Street burned down. 13,000 volumes saved from the fire were moved to new premises in the old Jesuit boarding house on St. Nicholas Street (now Hrushevsky Street) in 1852. The idea of ​​​​building a separate library building belonged to its director, Dr. Alexander Semkovich, who, after inspecting modern libraries in Austria and Germany, took into account all possible needs, the use of modern equipment and furnishings. The construction was carried out by engineer-architect Hryhoriy Pezhansky.