THE PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY

The National Library of Estonia is the legal successor to the State Library established in 1918 to provide services for Estonian legislative body. In 1989, after a 49 year interim, the National Library of Estonia re-gained its status as a parliamentary library.

In its activities the library adheres to the National Library of Estonia Act, with the objective of providing for the information needs of the Riigikogu (Parliament) and other constitutional institutions.

In playing the role of a parliamentary library, the Centre of Information Services for MPs serves as a coordinating link between the different structural units of the library.

The Centre:

• fulfils reference and information tasks;
• compiles the Bibliography of Legal Literature of Estonia;
• registers the official publications of Estonia;
• compiles and publishes materials reflecting the activities of the Riigikogu;
• updates the bibliographical databases on the content of Estonian press reports.

Specialised services have been set up to answer queries on legal matters and international organizations. The National Library has the rights to operate as a depository library for nine international organinations: the EU, UN, WTO, ILO, IMO, UNESCO, IBRD, WHO and ICAO. This ensures the availability of these organizations’ fundamental documents in Estonia.

The Centre of Information Services for MPs services three reading rooms: the reference and law reading rooms are located in the main building and are also open to the public, and the branch of the library designated for the members of the Riigikogu and the Chancellery staff is located in the Riigikogu building.

In 1995 The Information and Documentation Centre on the Council of Europe, Tallinn was opened at the National Library.

Special emphasis has been placed on developing the information network related to the European Union. In 1998 The European Union Information Centre was opened at the National Library of Estonia. The task is both to inform the public and provide services for the Riigikogu and governmental agencies.