Tartu Ülikooli Raamatukogu aastaraamat

Raamatukogu on ülikooli süda

2026-06-08T09:44:15+00:00

Library is the heart of the university

For the two recent years, the life of the University of Tartu Library has been full of developments, innovations and collaboration. As the heart of the university, the library supports learning, teaching and research by providing access to information sources and teaching the skills of finding and using knowledge. The role of both electronic resources and physical space is important – the number of visits has increased and the library has remained an important place for individual learning and group work. Based on user feedback, we renovated the library lobby, set up a modern dining room for users and formed the Department of the Cultural Environment to improve services and the users’ spatial experience.

The library makes its collections visible through digitisation, publications and exhibitions. We published a voluminous book on the history of the library, which received several awards; library staff members published research papers and prepared exhibitions, including the exhibitions of historical materials on alchemy, and of the development of Estonian-language educational resources. Two doctoral theses, defended in 2024–2025, dealt with the management of academic libraries and Estonia’s early book culture.

Our focus was on both national and international cooperation. The LibOCS project, aimed to raise awareness of citizen science in research libraries, was completed and we started the CAELUM project, which should improve libraries’ capability for crisis response and skills in providing support services in different types of crises. The Year of Estonian Book brought several joint activities, including the festive opening event and conference at the University of Tartu Library. We also participated in the conducting of a national reading survey.

In the changing academic and technological environment, expectations for library staff involvement are growing, adding new roles concerning data management, open science, and artificial intelligence literacy. The library started to prepare its new development plan, involving the entire staff in shaping a common future.

Kohtamispaik

2026-06-08T09:51:23+00:00

Meeting place

Ages ago, the human soul, the human spirit became for the first time perceptible to man through his ability to remember the past – the things that had already disappeared and the companions who had already passed – and through his ability to put this remembering into words. No other creature known to us can do this.

But as time went by, man went even further, learning to gather the words of remembering into lines of writing, printed texts, books, and finally, even libraries.

The library is a place where the eyes of a person living today can, by gliding over the written lines, revive the threads of the long-gone times and see the lost worlds through the spiritual eye of the people already gone. By learning to remember the past, a person living today meets, above all, his own soul and spirituality. The library is a place that exists for the purpose of making such meetings possible.

Tartu Ülikooli raamatukogu arengukava 2026–2030

2026-06-08T09:55:39+00:00

Tööprotsesside kaardistamine: tee tõhusama ja kasutajasõbralikuma raamatukoguni

2026-06-08T09:58:12+00:00

Mapping of work processes: The path to a more efficient and user-friendly library

In early 2025, the University of Tartu Library decided to map its work processes in order to increase its efficiency, transparency and user-centeredness. The library is a complex research and memory institution, operating in a very diverse range of workflows from the acquisition and cataloguing to the digitisation of library materials, from offering open science services and conference services to showing exhibitions. Although the library was routinely operating, the management pointed out the need for clearer documentation asking, whether the goals are unambiguous, whether there are unnecessarily doubled processes or outdated habits, and whether work processes could be simplified and automated.

Staff involvement and clear communication were essential, as such mapping can cause discomfort or increase the feeling of being controlled. The interview-based mapping enabled to create a thorough overview of the actual work organisation and to identify bottlenecks, such as non-standardised activities and long waiting times. Nearly 40 priority processes were mapped, highlighting both the strengths and needs for improvement. The problems were divided into short-term and long-term goals, the latter of which also provided input for the library development plan.

An important result was the understanding that changes start with people: staff members play a key role in designing processes and ensuring the quality of services. According to expert Kreet Solnaski, the library’s workflows stood out for their abundance and personalisation of services, but a further focus should be on a clearer design of core services and regular collection of feedback. The ultimate goal is common for all of us – to provide library users with high-quality, up-to-date and needs-based services. Mapping of processes is a strategic investment, creating the basis for continuous development and furthering the innovation-supporting work culture.

Eesti raamatu suurjuubeli avapäev Tartu Ülikooli raamatukogus

2026-06-08T10:50:19+00:00

Opening Day of the Year of the Estonian Book 500 in Tartu University Library

2025 was proclaimed the Year of Estonian Book under the patronage of the President of the Republic Alar Karis to mark the 500th anniversary of the first known printed Estonian text and the Estonian literary language. The yearlong celebration included numerous different events all over the country; the celebration was officially opened in the University of Tartu Library on 30 January 2025.

This honour fell to our Library following our idea, born in May 2024, to hold a jubilee conference examining the overall role of books. It was originally spearheaded by our then director Krista Aru, Kristhel Haak and Marianne Marlene Tiik from the Library plus Priit Rohtmets and Urmas Nõmmik from the School of Theology and Religious Studies. Later the work was led by our current director Jaanika Anderson. As a result, our conference got preceded by the official opening ceremony of the Year of the Estonian Book and was followed by the opening of retrospective exhibition of Estonian educational literature, particularly the university textbooks, highlighting the leading role of the Tartu University in the field of national education.

In addition, in our lobby, as a warm-up for the conference, the “Embassy of Utopia” tackled everything about the books with their trademark unbridled freedom of thought and fantasy. As an example, Meelis Friedenthal, one of almost three dozen speakers, knew the best medicine against the mounting issues of mental health in contemporary society – it is reading books of course! – and the authorities to remind our citizens to read at least half an hour a day with the same persistence they remind us to sort our waste.

Speaking at the opening ceremony President Alar Karis recalled the efforts of the Soviet occupation authorities to erase our people’s memories of freedom by destroying Estonian books containing any “dangerous” thoughts. He re-endorsed the idea of his predecessor President Konstantin Päts from 1935 that, if a monument to Estonian people should ever be erected it should depict a mother teaching her children to read. The speakers included Toomas Asser, Rector of Tartu University, Urmas Klaas, Mayor of Tartu, Kristina Kallas, Minister of Education, Heidy Purga, Minister of Culture. Commemorative coin and postage stamp were introduced by the representatives of the Bank of Estonia and Estonian Post. 25th Friedrich Puksoo prize, on the 135th birthday of the legendary former director of our Library, was handed over to Malle Ermel for her monography University of Tartu Library 220.

The conference itself, moderated by the vice chairman of the Main Committee of the Year of the Estonian Book, Toomas Kiho, featured 9 speakers: Tarmo Toom (theologian), Kristiina Ross (linguist), Tõnu Õnnepalu (writer), Krista Kaer (publisher), Meelis Friedenthal (theologian), Toivo Maimets (biologist), Maarja Kangro (writer), Maarja Undusk (artist) and Anu Lamp (actress). They looked at the times 2000 years ago and at least 500 years into the future. Scientific analyses were enriched by personal memories and emotional insights inspired by books. Their combined angle of sight was at least 360 degrees. Brief abstracts of every speaker’s main thesis are provided.

Raamatult lugejale

2026-06-08T10:56:27+00:00

Ülikooli raamatukogu ja Läti raamatuaasta

2026-06-08T10:58:06+00:00

Meie teenused kasutaja pilgu läbi: teenusekvaliteedi uuring UtlibQual 2024

2026-06-08T10:59:50+00:00

Seeing the library through its users’ eyes: Service quality survey UtlibQual 2024

The aim of the UtlibQual 2024 service quality survey was to understand how users of the University of Tartu Library perceive library services and what factors shape their satisfaction. A modern library is seen not only as a location for books and databases, but also as the environment for learning and spending time, where the physical space, the atmosphere and support of the staff are as important as the collections.

The largest group among the 1003 respondents included UT students. Their main reasons for visits were borrowing books, studying in the library and accessing research databases. The role of the library as the “third place”, where people simply come to stay in a pleasant environment, was also strongly stressed.

The assessments of quality indicators remained uniformly within the tolerance zone, revealing that the level of service is generally above expectations. The competence, friendliness and helpfulness of the staff were highly rated, as well as the convenience of borrowing and the suitability of the learning environment. Among some bottlenecks, many respondents listed the shortage of necessary literature in some subject areas, the need for improving the ease of use of the e-catalogue, and the wish for reasonably longer opening hours.

Satisfaction was very high – almost 90% of the respondents said that the library supports them in their studies and work. At the same time, the areas that were considered to need the largest development were the environment, collections and communication. Open-ended responses emphasised the professionalism and humane attitude of the staff and praised the comfortable environment and opportunities for independent use.

The study provides an important input for the library’s strategic planning: which services work well, which require investments, and how to direct resources in accordance with the needs and expectations of the users. In conclusion, the study confirms that the University of Tartu Library is a strong user-centred institution, but continuous development – especially in the areas of collections, environment, and digital solutions – is the key to the future of services.

Skills4EOSC: avatud teaduse oskuste koolitussüsteemi loomine Euroopas

2026-06-08T11:06:08+00:00

Skills4EOSC: Creating an Open Science Skills Training System in Europe

The Skills4EOSC project (2022–2025) created a pan-European open science skills ecosystem, connecting 46 partners from 18 countries. The project supported the readiness of researchers and research support staff for FAIR-based and collaborative research by developing training materials, standards and networks. ETAIS was the Estonian partner of the project and a large part of the substantive work was done by the University of Tartu Library.

The library contributed to five work packages: creating open science skills frameworks and sets of minimum competencies for different target groups; developing “Science4Policy” activities that support policymakers; establishing an Estonian open science community; supporting the harmonisation of the European network of competence centres and helpdesks; and promoting the uptake of project results.

A learning platform with 18 learning paths and 40 courses formed a significant output. The UT Library helped create the “Train the Trainers” training courses, which were attended by 1,500 people from all over Europe. FAIR-by-Design principles were also developed, which ensure the open use and reusability of training materials.

The project brought significant added value to Estonia: the skills of data managers were strengthened, the cooperation network expanded, and the understanding of open science competencies was harmonised. Skills4EOSC improved Estonia’s readiness to support FAIR-based science and linked the local science system more closely to European developments.

Raamatukogu koostöö vabade kunstide professuuriga

2026-06-08T11:11:03+00:00

Library cooperation with the liberal arts professorship

Ene Paldre, Librarian, Academic Affairs Specialist In recent years, the University of Tartu Library has intensified its cooperation with the liberal arts professorship, offering both professional support and an inspiring environment for the activities of creative individuals. The tradition of the liberal arts professorship, which dates back to 1992, brings one outstanding Estonian creative person to the university every year. The library has organised several exhibitions with former professors, such as Olga and Priit Pärn.

In the 2024/2025 academic year, music listening evenings were held in the library’s Music Department at the initiative of liberal arts professor Kadri Voorand. The idea was to offer an uninterrupted listening experience, concentration, and introspection – without phones, talking, or everyday thoughts. Each week, one Estonian musician chose one album that was listened to together. The dim room, free seating positions, and the opportunity to write down thoughts while listening created a quiet, therapeutic atmosphere.

At the end of the year, a sound exhibition “If to Be Really Honest, then…” was held based on Voorand’s course. Both the students and professor Voorand participated in the exhibition, reading out short stories where the sound of the voice and the content of the story formed a whole. Both initiatives were born in close cooperation between the Institute of Cultural Research and the library and showed well how the library can host creative events and be a link between the academic and
cultural worlds.

Kirjad raamatukogule

2026-06-08T12:17:32+00:00

Letters to the Library

Probably the best way to commemorate our former director Krista Aru, who passed away on 25 February 2025, is to recall her own words and thoughts on issues important to her. Publishing selected brief excerpts from her letters to colleagues, posted in our Library’s internal mailing list during her five years in office, is an effort to do so.

Her letters in this selection, addressed to “Dear friends” or “Dear companions”, do not administrate, command or forbid. Krista is rather sharing and inspirating, inviting us to find and see good reasons in our daily lives and the world around us to feel joy, to be proud of our Library and of the meaningful work we are doing. Books, the Library, University of Tartu and Estonia – the country, it’s people and culture – were the four weight bearing pillars of our world in her eyes. She saw the past as our strength, the gift from our predecessors who paved the road for us, and the future would be of our doing as our responsibility. Karl Morgenstern (1770–1852), the first director of our Library, and Jaan Tõnisson (1868–1941), an outstanding Estonian statesman, were no mythical figures for Krista, but more like old and wise colleagues with whom she could have a word on difficult issues. Krista never hesitated to shoulder her responsibilities as she saw them – for our Library, for Estonian culture, for both our history and future.

The selection of Krista Aru’s letters for this publication was made by Katri Armolik, Kertu Uri and Marianne Marlene Tiik.

Tartu Ülikooli raamatukogu struktuur

2026-06-08T13:30:41+00:00

Enim laenutatud raamatud 2025. aastal

2026-06-08T13:32:19+00:00

Raamatukogu arvudes 2025

2026-06-08T13:33:04+00:00

TÜ raamatukogu korraldatud üritusi 2024–2025

2026-06-08T13:34:50+00:00

Publikatsioonid ja ettekanded

2026-06-08T13:29:14+00:00

Publications and presentations

Raamatukogu tänab ja tunnustab

2026-06-08T13:27:31+00:00

Ester Ilja 70

2026-06-08T13:08:39+00:00

Tiiu Täpsi 70

2026-06-08T13:10:04+00:00

Olga Einasto 60

2026-06-08T13:11:46+00:00

Natalja Gordejeva 60

2026-06-08T13:13:15+00:00

Kalju Kill Kask 60

2026-06-08T13:14:37+00:00

Külli Põhjala 60

2026-06-08T13:16:31+00:00

Terje Rand 60

2026-06-08T13:17:55+00:00

Margit Leesik 60

2026-06-08T13:18:48+00:00

Janika Päll 60

2026-06-08T13:19:47+00:00

Anu Rjabinin 60

2026-06-08T13:21:11+00:00

Anneli Sepp 50

2026-06-08T13:22:17+00:00

In memoriam

2026-06-08T13:26:15+00:00

Näitus „Alkeemia: kõigi asjade ristumispunkt“

2026-06-08T12:55:21+00:00

Exhibition “Alchemy: The intersection of all things”

In the autumn of 2024, the exhibition “Alchemy: The Intersection of All Things” was held in the exhibition hall of the University of Tartu Library, with the aim of introducing alchemy as a comprehensive system of knowledge, not just a set of gold-making or magical practices. Curators Meelis Friedenthal and Kurmo Konsa showed alchemy as a discipline where philosophy, science, art and spirituality meet, centred on the understanding of the profound changes in matter, nature and the spiritual world.

The exhibition focused on the rich collection of alchemy books at the University of Tartu Library, including works by Paracelsus, Ramon Llull and Nicolas Flamel, and a rare illustrated manuscript from the 16th century. The display of books from the so far little-studied collection of chemistry professor Ferdinand Giese attracted great attention. The visual aspect was complemented by chemistry instruments from the UT Museum and the impressive design of the exhibition by artist Jaanus Kaasik.

In addition to the historical perspective, the exhibition highlighted the contemporary relevance of alchemy – its connections to discussions on biotechnology, artificial intelligence and environmental crises. Visitors were entertained by curatorial tours and a conversation evening with Paavo Matsin. The exhibition attracted lively public interest, and the guest book proved that the visitors were touched by the subject both on a personal and philosophical level.

Kuidas iva idanema hakkas ehk juubelinäituse „Õpetusest võrsub iva. Eestikeelsest loengu konspektist kõrgkooliõpikuni“ sünnilugu

2026-06-08T12:59:23+00:00

Origins of the jubilee exhibition “Teaching Creates Knowledge.
From Lecture Notes to Academic Textbooks in Estonian”

There was no surprise involved that the 500th Anniversary of the Estonian Book and Estonian literary language would be celebrated in 2025 in the format of a nationwide Year of the Estonian Book. No matter that came only 90 years after the 400th Jubilee in 1935, as a few decades later substantive evidence was discovered in archives, confirming that the first book in Estonian was in fact printed ten years earlier than previously known, in 1525. I wish someday new founds would
make Estonian book even older.

In our exhibitions working group, established in 2019 by former director of the Library Krista Aru, the issue of the Jubilee exhibition was repeatedly discussed since at least 2023. Nobody favoured a general overview format, as it was taken for granted that all the oldest and most precious relics would be brought out for the inquisitive eyes of the Estonian public without our input, from the vaults of other institutions. Finally, in March 2024, it was decided to stick with our “bread and butter” competency and concentrate on a retrospective of Estonian original educational books with an emphasis on university textbooks.

We started to “mobilise” from the ranks of our librarians the colleagues who had closer expertise in particular fields of knowledge and subjects to be able to evaluate and pick out the most worthy and important examples. However, it became apparent that our limited human resources – nobody could be excused from their daily duties -- were not fully up to the task. Therefore, we involved professors and lecturers from all over our university to assist us with their expertise. We see their enthusiastic support we received as a clear sign of the community spirit in Tartu University, a recognition of the irreplaceable place of our Library in the educational process and the continuously high value being placed in university textbooks in Estonian. As our exhibition was entered into the official program of the Year of the Estonian Book, we got some financial support from state bodies for the design of the exposition.

Our exposition had to fit into the physical and online spaces available and was thus cupped at approximately 1200 printed and around 1000 on-purpose digitized versions of selected books with some overlap. Hard choices had to be made all the way while compiling the exposition. Early on it was decided to leave aside translated textbooks and concentrate on books originally written in Estonian. It was quite painful, for example, to leave
out the works of the Tartu University’s professors of Baltic German origin written in German, as they played a major part in the history of education in Estonia. I would have liked to include portraits and brief CV-s of most noteworthy authors, first of all the pathfinders, but there was no room.

Lilian Mengel in her role of the Project Leader took great care of reaching out to the visitors. A printed fill-in workbook with quizzes was available to “cement” the knowledge obtained or recalled at the exhibition, there were puzzles to compose, a memory wall to write down a funny story from one’s student days and a mailbox to leave a letter to the favourite professor.

I am happy to note that our exhibition has received a positive and ongoing press coverage. Working on this exhibition confirmed my belief that textbooks in Estonian are among the highly significant building blocks of our country and nation as we know them today.

Näitused 2024–2025

2026-06-08T13:07:06+00:00

Tööalasest uudishimust doktoritööni: refleksiooniartikkel doktoritöö protsessist 2019–2024

2026-06-08T12:23:25+00:00

From professional curiosity to doctoral thesis: A reflection article on the process of writing doctoral thesis 2019–2024

Liisi Lembinen describes the development of her doctoral thesis in 2019–2024 as an unexpected, twisty and discovery-filled journey that began with professional curiosity. The initial impulse arose already in 2013–2016, when she worked as the acting director of the University of Tartu Library and asked her LIBER colleagues how strategic decisions are made. She published an article on the subject, but at the time, she did not yet think about starting doctoral studies.

In 2018, she decided to try to get a doctoral degree at the Faculty of Economics, because the University of Tartu did not teach library science at the doctoral level. At the beginning, it seemed reasonable to write a monograph, but as the work developed, this became impossible – her interviews and research gave birth to three independent articles. A course on innovation had a great impact, which led her to the study of open innovation in libraries and inspired the first article.

However, the COVID-19 crisis changed the focus of the entire doctoral thesis. Until that time, crisis situations had been hypothetical, but then the opportunity suddenly arose to study decision-making during a real crisis. Libraries had to adapt quickly and change their services and digital solutions, and their role in the university was growing. This provided Lembinen with valuable empirical material for the second article.

The journey was also spiced up by personal trials – a mandatory course in microeconometrics almost caused her to interrupt her doctoral studies. In the end, she still passed the subject, although more through perseverance than deep understanding.

All the articles were ultimately related to one common subject: decision-making in different situations. Finding and matching a suitable theory was a challenge, but the necessary frameworks were found in decision theory. Lembinen emphasises that practical work in the library and scientific writing supported each other – every subject and research are applicable in real life.

Looking back, she believes that gaining experience, self-development, and the knowledge that difficult things can be done were the greatest victories to achieve. The only question that still haunts her is, wherever did she find the time for it?

The online version of her doctoral thesis is available in the UT digital archive ADA.

Doktoritöö trükitud raamatu tulekust Eestisse

2026-06-08T12:27:41+00:00

The first century of printed books in Estonia

Kaspar Kolk’s doctoral thesis examines the first century of the printed book in Estonia, focusing on the period from the mid-15th to the mid-16th century. This study was a result of years of practical experience and research, based on Kolk’s work with collections of old historical books held in the libraries of different Estonian memory institutions. Over the course of about ten years, he studied essentially all the known 15th-16th-century books located in Estonia, also visiting the collections of old historical books at Riga, Uppsala and several other European libraries.

The research focused on the spread of the printed book, the development of libraries and the formation of readership in medieval Livonia. The work was based on surviving volumes and archival sources, including the Tallinn inventories, which
provided a rare opportunity to understand the size and contents of lost libraries. Libraries that operated before and after the Reformation – especially the collections of the Dominicans and the Church of St. Olaf – turned out to be the key collections in the early history of Estonian books. It became clear that monasteries were the largest owners of books until the end of the Middle Ages, and that printed books reached Tallinn quickly and in large numbers.

Kolk’s research also highlighted some previously overlooked phenomena: the Tallinn school of late Gothic bookbinders, the Franciscan collection of Counter-Reformation printings, and the movement of books from Western European printing houses to Estonian cities. By the mid-16th century, a new group of readers had emerged – the urban bourgeoisie – among whom a smaller but significant circle of secular readers developed, whose books were predominantly in the German language.

The dissertation offers the first comprehensive overview of the first century of the printed book in the Estonian cultural space and creates a solid foundation for further research on the book trade, bookbinding, reading culture, and the role of the printed word in pre- and post-Reformation Estonia.

The online edition of the doctoral thesis is available in the UT digital archive ADA.

Raamatukogu 220 aastat kaante vahel.

2026-06-08T12:31:26+00:00

The Library’s 220 Years were gathered between book covers: A Conversation with Malle Ermel

The book University of Tartu Library 220, published to mark the 220th anniversary of the University of Tartu Library, is a comprehensive and richly illustrated overview of the development of the oldest research library in Estonia. The author of the book, librarian Malle Ermel has, on more than 600 pages, put together both the institutional history of the library and the stories of the people who have shaped it. The work discusses the development of collections, cataloguing, user services, the role of the library in different eras, and the changes brought about by political systems and the digital age.

Ermel emphasises that the idea underlying the book is more than 20 years old and it is based on the work of generations of librarians. Earlier researchers – F. Puksoo, A. Tering, A. Vinkel – had laid the foundation, but there was no comprehensive overview. The completion of the book was an extensive effort of archival research: the UT Library’s collections of manuscripts and personal archives (e.g. K. Morgenstern, F. Puksoo), as well as materials from the Estonian National Archives had to be used. The abundance of documents in German and Russian complicated the work, but over time, the support of digital tools and artificial intelligence made it easier.

A number of surprising and little-studied facts emerged during the process, especially regarding decisions made during the Soviet era. Ermel points out that her goal was not to pass judgment, but to understand the circumstances that shaped the choices. Discussing the position of the library, she acknowledges that the library has always belonged to the core of the university – from the Morgenstern’s time, when the library directors were members of the university council, to the modern e-library, where physical space is no longer the only way to access information.

In Ermel’s opinion, the most unique parts of the library are the legacy of the imperial university and the collection of Estonian national publications. She also highlights the changes associated with the moving away from the old location on Toome Hill: the more academic atmosphere disappeared, but the readership expanded. The completion of the book was a team effort – editors Mare Rand and Sirje Nilbe, designer Peeter Paasmäe, and many colleagues contributed to the quality of the work.

Ermel hopes that the book will inspire new researchers and help understand the role of the library in the cultural and scientific landscape. Each photo and story in the book carries a slice of the university and library heritage, forming a bridge
that connects generations.

Eesti esimesed teadustööd

2026-06-08T12:36:04+00:00

The first Estonian scientific works

The beginning of Estonian scientific writing is closely linked to the founding of the University of Tartu in 1632. Although the 500th anniversary of the Estonian-language book emphasises the roots of the national literary culture, the first scientific works written in the Estonian area can be found among the early publications of the Tartu Academy – the disputations and orations compiled by its professors and students. During the last third of 1632, all in all 18 publications were issued in Tartu, ten of which were academic debates. Nearly 600 disputations and over 230 orations were published in the first years of the university of the Swedish time, creating a significant foundation for the history of Estonian science.

Estonia’s own science came later: Friedrich Robert Faehlmann was the first Estonian who defended his thesis in Tartu [in1827]. The first Estonian-language doctoral theses were submitted at the beginning of the 20th century by Arnold Liin and Albert Valdes. However, the academic texts created in the 17th century – although not in Estonian – were the first scientific publications on the Estonian territory.

For a long time, the disputation of Andreas Virginius and Henrik Bößman from 1632 was thought to be the first Estonian publication, but Ene-Lille Jaanson proved this dating incorrect. Instead, the “Dissertation on Countries”, written by the first student of the University of Tartu Bengt Baaz, and defended under the supervision of Jakob Skytte, can be considered to be the first Estonian publication.

1637 was a pivotal year in Estonian cultural history: the first book partly printed in Estonian (Part II of H. Stahl’s Handbook and Household Book), the first Estonian grammar, and the first known Estonian poem were all published this year. By then,
the Tartu printing house had been operating for five years, and it had already published over 70 academic works ranging from theology to mathematics and law.

Early modern disputations have often been thought to be primitive in content, but they must be assessed according to the academic standards of their time. Today, research has become much more intensive. Thanks to the University of Tartu Library, Estonia’s first scientific works have been gathered into a single corpus, and they provide valuable information on both the history of science and the history of books.

Meie ajalooliste kogude põhjal tehtud üliõpilastööd. Juhendaja aruanne

2026-06-08T12:40:06+00:00

Student research ranging from the 17th century to Morgenstern, based on our collections: Supervisor’s report

In recent years, the collections of the University of Tartu Library have offered valuable research material for students, resulting in several bachelor’s and master’s theses. These studies discuss the 17th-century Tartu publications, the first scholars of the university and sources of book history, expanding our knowledge of the history of Estonian science and culture.

In 2011, Jaana Jurtšenkova completed her master’s thesis on the Greek-Latin Dictionary by Johannes Gezelius the Elder, printed in Tartu in 1649. The copy held in the library, which she completely transcribed and edited using Transcriptus, has now been partially republished. Her study highlights the characteristic features of the early modern printing technology and the development of lexicography.

Ann-Marii Salutee’s bachelor’s thesis (2025) examined Karl Morgenstern’s speech from 1805, “Plan im Lesen”, offering reading recommendations, which provide an overview of the classical educational ideal of the time. The work makes an important contribution to the study of Morgenstern’s legacy and helps to improve the understanding of its position in the German-speaking linguistic area.

In 2024, Hanna-Maarja Selde completed her bachelor’s project, resulting in a critical edition of Andreas Virginius’ theological disputations. She combined a damaged copy from the University of Tartu Library with pages from the National Library of Finland, creating the most complete academic version of the text to date.

At the same year, Kristiina Kase defended her master’s thesis on the 17th-century theological orations at the Academia Gustaviana, focusing on David Cunitius’ verse oration. The work provides the first systematic overview of early modern oratory practice in Tartu.

Two doctoral students also published their articles: Anni Polding studied the formation of the archive collection of the Pedagogical-Philological Seminar, and Rahel Toomik analysed the corpus of Tartu academic orations. She will create a digital version of the texts using eScriptorium.

Two bachelor’s theses from 2024 – Christopher Lääne’s translation of Posselius’ dialogues and Marta Mägimets’ edition of the manuscript disputation “Collegium physicum” – open up new perspectives on the teaching of ancient languages and on the 17th-century natural philosophy.

All these studies show the important role of the University of Tartu Library in the study of Estonian history of science and early modern texts, and in the development of classical philology. The library’s collections continue to inspire new generations of researchers.

Cancrinide raamatupärand Tartu Ülikooli raamatukogus

2026-06-08T12:44:36+00:00

The book heritage of the Cancrins in the University of Tartu Library

The Cancrins’ library held in the University of Tartu Library is one of the most remarkable, but so far little-studied, collections of the 18th–19th century scientific and professional literature. According to the register of donations for 1864, nearly 200 books were donated by the Russian Minister of Finance Georg von Cancrin, but the bulk of the collection comes from his father – Franz Ludwig von Cancrin, a well-known European mining engineer, architect and intellectual of the Age of Enlightenment.

Franz Ludwig’s extensive career encompassed the mining and salt industries, architecture, water engineering and agriculture. That is why his collection is diverse: legal literature and manuals on mining, metallurgy, hydraulics and construction art form its most numerous parts. These publications provide a good overview of the technical knowledge of the time, as well as of his connections with leading European scientists, especially Swedish and German naturalists. A large number of books bear Cancrin’s personal inscriptions and reflect his professional development and Enlightenment thinking.

The collection also contains valuable manuscripts, including his own notes on building projects, innovations in salt production and improvements to machinery. These documents provide a rare direct insight into the engineering thought at the end of the 18th century.

Georg von Cancrin, who later became one of the most influential Ministers of Finance of the Russian Empire, supplemented the collection with works on economics, military administration and politics. His professional interests are reflected in numerous legal and administrative manuals, military supply protocols and publications on the development of science and art in Europe.

The value of the Cancrins’ library lies in its integrity and personal origin: few scholars of the 18th and 19th centuries have left behind such an extensive and well-documented private collection. It is a source of book history, an academic tool, and a window into the history of the arrival of the knowledge developed in Europe into the Baltic area.

Kataloog, mis rullib lahti eluloo

2026-06-08T12:48:06+00:00

A catalogue that unfolds a life story: The Tartu classic Karl Morgenstern 1770–1852

The catalogue Tartu Classic. Karl Morgenstern 1770–1852, published in 2025 by the University of Tartu Library, continues the series of events held five years earlier to mark Morgenstern’s 250th anniversary and, based on the exhibition, brings together a comprehensive overview of the life and legacy of one of the most important professors of the university. After the reopening of the University of Tartu, Karl Morgenstern was for more than 35 years one of its central figures – professor of rhetoric, classical philology, aesthetics, literary and art history, the founder of the university art museum and the long-time director of the library. His contribution directly shaped the academic face of the university and the development of the humanities.

The catalogue was compiled by experienced Morgenstern researchers Moonika Teemus, Mare Rand, Janika Päll and Malle Ermel. The bilingual publication (Estonian-English) combines the manuscripts, artworks and books shown at the exhibition, and adds a wealth of material that was not included in the exhibition due to lack of space.

The catalogue serves two purposes: to reveal the story of Morgenstern’s development from childhood to his Tartu years, and to introduce the collections related to him, now held in the University of Tartu Library. The publication is in the form of a catalogue, but it develops into a kind of biographical book, where illustrations and archival items create a living visual narrative alongside the text. The texts presented in the form of fragments do not burden the reader, but leave space for interpretations and discoveries. For people who are just starting to get acquainted with Morgenstern, the catalogue offers concise “guidelines” that lead to broader topics of cultural history – for example, the educational opportunities for women in the 18th century or the networks of art dealers and collectors of the time.

The research on Morgenstern has been going on for decades, but his legacy remains inexhaustible. The catalogue fills a gap in his life and work, but highlights the fact that the library collections still contain many more unexplored manuscripts and materials. The improved accessibility – both the digitised manuscripts and the publication of the physical catalogue – supports future research and keeps Morgenstern’s legacy alive in the context of the University of Tartu and the Estonian humanities.