ASC Library receives the book collection of the late Andrzej Wala

The American Studies Center Library has received a large collection of books belonging to the late Andrzej Wala (1942–2018), a historian, poet, and co-founder of Polish-American Ethnological Society.

Andrzej Wala devoted a substantial part of his life to studying the history and culture of Native Americans and was an esteemed specialist in the field. In 1976, he co-founded the Polish-American Ethnological Society and from 1985 until his death he acted as its Executive Director. He was also an author of a book of poems, a collection of satirical rhymes, as well as a collection of radio speeches.

Mr. Wala left an extensive collection of books, containing 500 volumes, focusing heavily on the history and culture of Native Americans. Thanks to the generosity of his wife, Mrs. Barbara Wala, the entire collection was gifted to the ASC Library. The entire collection will be catalogued and marked with a special bookplate commemorating Andrzej Wala and will soon be available for both researchers and students.

The American Studies Center and the Polish-American Ethnological Society are planning to organize a special seminar as soon as the epidemiological situation makes it possible.