Albanian book and libraries in Kosovo

The paper deals with the development of the Albanian printed book and libraries in Kosovo from a cultural and sociological aspect. Publication of books and creation of the first libraries that began in Kosovo by the 14th century was followed with a long interruption due to sociopolitical circumstances. The linguistic structure of the book in libraries by the middle of the sixties of the 20th century was dominated by books in Serbo-Croatian. The strengthening of the political and cultural position of Albanians was also reflected in view of the growing number of publications in Albanian and network extension of libraries also changing their cultural status. In addition the paper analyzes the institutional structure of libraries and cultural impact of the book on the growing number of readers along the process of usage of communication technologies and digitization of library books and their contents