Library

The library of Tartu Theological Seminary is comprised of approximately 27,000 texts, manuscripts, electronic materials, etc. The collection includes documents from all generations of evangelical theologians. The books are 50% English, 30% German and the rest are in Estonian or other languages.

The library is characterized by good storage conditions, a compact storage room, and an roomy reading reading room. Today's library has co-operative relationships with other theological libraries in Estonia and outside the country (especially Tartu University library, the Department of Theology library, IBTS in Prague, the Swedish Mission Church, Elstal in Germany, etc.). We also have co-operative relationships with several larger American church libraries.

New possibilities have opened up through the use of the Internet-based library program URRAM. It's possible to search all borrowable texts through the electronic catalog. Lending also occurs electronically.

The library reading-room contains periodicals as well as encyclopedias and reference books. The storage room contains all borrowable books and handwritten manuscripts, which are more regularly used. Copies of manuscripts can be made on site. The archive contains older books and valuable manuscripts, older periodicals and documents. The library's priceless collection includes pre-war seminary books, which brave people kept from destruction by the ruling powers at the time. An important contribution has been made by the Estonian pastors and theologians Robert Võsu and Osvald Tärk as well as other libraries. Our emphasis is also on collecting Estonian handwritten manuscripts containing sacred language. On our list of thanks, we would also like to include the organizations that have significantly supported our work: the Toronto Estonian Baptist Church, the German Baptist Federation Seminary, Texas Baptist Union, and Sõsar Churches in Finland and Sweden.

Among the rare books, at least two collections are worthy of note:
Uudo Rips's valuable gift of approximately 100 Estonian Bibles of various editions (beginning in 1739--the first printed Estonian bible--until more recently);
from expatriate Estonians, most importantly a selection of expatriate Estonian fiction compiled by the Toronto Estonian Baptist Church.
The goal of the library is firstly to offer seminary students, professors and Baptist Union workers the widest possible of collection of useful literature and to offer general self-education. The emphasis is on literature that is necessary for theological education.

All Tartu Theological Seminary connected individuals, students, professors, workers, alumni and Union of Free Evangelical and Baptist Churches of Estonia workers may use the library.
The reading room is also available to all others, however, lending occurs only with the special permission of the rector.

The reading room is available for work including reading, study and computer use.
The book storage room is Mo,Th,Fr 10.00-16.00 (during study sessions We-Sa 10.00-16.00).
Material in the archive may be used when necessary, but may not be borrowed.

Link to the catalog:

Library catalog from the Internet
Library catalog from the seminary's network