At the end of October 2021, the National Library closed the doors of its iconic building for several years
The National Library of Estonia building at Tõnismägi is one of the 20th century Estonian architecture landmarks. Its opening in 1993 was not just the opening of a library building but had a symbolic meaning for the entire nation. At the end of October 2021, the National Library closed the doors of this iconic building for several years to undergo extensive reconstruction, more information at www.rara.ee/en/reconstruction.
From 1 November 2021 to the beginning of January 2022, the National Library is moving to temporary premises at Narva mnt 11. During this period you can visit our Embassy (our mini-library) in the Solaris centre, or use online and distant services – order books via online catalogue ESTER and communicate with us via email, telephone or chat.
In a few days we will start moving a huge amount of books to vacate the library building at Tõnismägi. If all those books were arranged in a row, it would be 51 kilometres long. Two kilometres of it we will take with us to our temporary premises – books that have been on the open shelves in the reading rooms and are among the favourites of our readers.
During the moving of collections, you can still order books (the online catalogue indicates their availability). Books can be collected from and returned to the book dispensers and, for a delivery fee, Omniva parcel machines. Until 17 December you can return books also to the foyer of the library building.
Our digital services are available 24/7. We continue to offer a helping hand to students, researchers and others by answering information enquiries and providing personal consultation. Our search portal opens access to hundreds of Estonian and foreign databases.
The moving of collections and equipment takes 4 months, yet we plan to open the reading area at our temporary premises at Narva mnt 11 already at the beginning of January – this will be the home of the library until we can move back to the renovated building.
