The European Library

Users are registered from the age of 16 and younger if they are secondary school or gymnasium students on the basis of a registration application and a personal identity document or a written consent of a parent or guardian.

Registration forms are available at the registration desk and on the homepage.

A personal library card is issued for three years that gives the right to use all the services provided by the Library. People with disabilities are issued a library card free of charge. Library cards are for the exclusive use of the holder.

A one-day card is issued from the age of 16 (and younger if attending secondary school or gymnasium) on the basis of a personal identity document. A one-day card does not give the right to order items from the depository.

Publications can only be read in the reading rooms. The Library does not lend out materials (except printed music and materials in the international reading rooms).

Information services

The National Library of Estonia provides information services in the field of
• humanities (history, ethnology, philosophy, folklore, psychology, religion, culture, linguistics and literary science, Estonian and foreign literature, art, music, film, theatre, etc),
• social sciences (economics, law, politics, political science, sociology, etc.),
• international organisations: European Union, World Trade Organisation WTO, World Health Organisation WHO, United Nations UN, International Monetary Fund IMF, etc.,
• international courts: Court of Justice of the European Communities, International Court of Justice ICJ, etc.,
• information sciences (information and book science, librarianship, etc.),
• cartography and geography.

In addition
• rare book collection specialists offer consultations on old books
• archival services on the basis of the institution and personal collections located in the Library
• conservation services
• binding services

Interlibrary Lending Service is available. Requests can be submitted via
• fax (+372 630 7401)
• e-mail illrk@nlib.ee
• electronically at www.nlib.ee/17543

E-library is available on the homepage of the NLE www.nlib.ee that enables readers to

• use the e-catalogue ESTER (ester.nlib.ee)
• request information on licensed databases and e-journals
• submit inquires in the field of humanities and social sciences
• read online publications, visit e-exhibitions and purchase the publications of the Library
• get acquainted with the digitised collections
• use the information resources of The European Library

In addition via the homepage the readers of the National Library can

• reserve books, journals, written music and other items
• renew the due date of books
• order copies
• order items via inter-library loan

Reading rooms

• Archival Collection Reading Room
• Law and International Organisations Reading Room
• Reference Reading Room
• General Reading Room
• European Union Information Centre
• Rare Book Collection Reading Room
• Humanities Reading Room
• Information Sciences Reading Room
• Cartography and Geography Reading Room
• Fine Arts Reading Room
• Music Reading Room
• Theatre and Film Reference Room
• Social Sciences Reading Room
• Newspapers and Internet Room
• Austrian Reading Room
• French Reading Room
• German Reading Room
• Swiss Reading Room