Using the library
The National Library of Estonia is a library that provides public service.
The library card or the ID card, that provide admission to the Library and give readers the right to use all library services, are documents that certify the rights of registered readers.
For a one-time visit, a one-day card is issued that gives the right to use publications, catalogues and databases on the open shelves, and visit exhibitions.
The items held on open access shelves may be used only in the reading rooms. The specialised reading rooms focus on the most widely used items in a particular field. The reading rooms are equipped with user computers, laptops and self-service scanning and copying machines. Our reference librarians will assist you in locating and searching information resources from the databases and catalogues.
Items from the archival and rare books collection may be used in the Rare Books and Archival Collection Reading Room only if the requested item is not available in other collections of the Library.
Home lending is permitted for readers who are at least 18 years old. They may borrow books, serials and printed music beginning from the 1946 year of publication from the basic collection in the stacks and items from the German, Austrian and Swiss Reading Rooms and the Information Science Reading Room. The borrowed items can be returned to the Central Circulation Desk, Information and Registration Desk or to the book return box placed in the entrance corridor at Endla 3.
Items not available in the National Library can be requested via the International Lending (ILL) from other Estonian and foreign libraries.
See also: Rules for users of the National Library of Estonia.
The National Library will be closed on 29-30 March.
On 1 April the Library will open at 16.00.
