Using the University of Tartu Library Materials

The guidelines specify the procedures for borrowing, requesting and returning printed materials, manuscripts, audiovisual and other materials of the University of Tartu Library. These guidelines apply to all library users.

1. Location of library materials

1.1. The materials are located in the library's open collection and closed stacks.

1.2. The open collection consists of open shelves in the open stacks on the first floor, in the Rariora reading room on the second floor, and in the music reading room and subject reading rooms on the third floor. There are three subject reading rooms:

1.2.1. the first reading room Realia et Naturalia and Medicina contains materials on the natural sciences and medicine;

1.2.2. the second reading room Socialia holds materials on the social sciences, including law;

1.2.3. the third reading room Humaniora contains materials related to the humanities.

1.3. Closed stacks house periodicals, dissertations, books published before 1945 (included), geographical maps, manuscripts, photographs, works of art and other rare materials.

2. Borrowing of library materials

2.1. The materials can be searched for

2.1.1. in the e-catalogue ESTER, where you can see their location, call number and borrowing conditions;

2.1.2. in the collection of digitised catalogues Emil;

2.1.3. in card and sheet catalogues.

2.2. Materials are lent to registered library users based on a valid ID-card or library card.

2.3. Up to 50 items can be borrowed at a time.

2.4. If an item has already been lent, it is possible to place hold on it. When the item is returned to the library, you will be notified by e-mail and you can retrieve it from the smart locker in the library lobby, where it will be held for you for three days from the day of notification.

2.5. If the required materials are not available in the library, you can use the Interlibrary Loans (ILL) service.

2.6. To borrow materials from the open collection, pick them up from the shelf and complete the borrowing at a self-checker or at service points.

2.7. Materials from the open stacks can be borrowed for 30 days.

2.8. Materials from the subject reading rooms can be borrowed

2.8.1. for 30 days if the back cover has a yellow marking;

2.8.2. for 60 days if the back cover has a blue marking;

2.8.3. for 14 days if there is no marking;

2.8.4. the materials for only in-house use have a red marking on the back cover.

2.9. Materials from the music reading room can be borrowed:

2.9.1. music literature and sheet music for 30 days;

2.9.2. audio records for 14 days;

2.9.3. magazines and video recordings and archival copies of sheet music and audio-video materials are only for in-house use.

2.10. Materials from the Rariora reading room open collection are only for in-house use.

2.11. Open collection journals and newspapers are only for in-house use, with the exception of the journal Akadeemia.

2.12. UT lecturers have the opportunity to borrow library materials for up to six months; if necessary, this loan period can be extended.

2.13. Materials purchased with research grants and targeted financing are lent to the persons related to these grants or research topics until the respective grant or the research topic is completed.

2.14. The following items are only for in-house use:

2.14.1. materials published before 1945 (included);

2.14.2. archival copies of materials published in Estonia;

2.14.3. rare books;

2.14.4. geographical maps;

2.14.5. manuscripts, photographs and works of art;

2.14.6. microfilms;

2.14.7. cassettes, diskettes and DVDs;

2.14.8. large-format publications;

2.14.9. publications requested via the interlibrary loans;

2.14.10. publications from the memorial collections;

2.14.11. small publications.

2.15. The library has the right not to lend materials in poor physical condition. If possible, a digital copy should be used.

2.16. In the My ESTER section of the e-catalogue, you can view your user record (the books you have borrowed, their due dates, books you have placed hold on, whether you have to pay overdue fines), extend loan periods and request materials from the closed stacks.

2.17. The loan period can be extended up to ten times

2.17.1. by yourself in My ESTER;

2.17.2. by phone (737 5702, 737 5773);

2.17.3. by e-mail ([email protected]).

2.18. The loan period of an item will not be extended and new items will not be lent if

2.18.1. someone has already placed hold on the materials you have borrowed;

2.18.2. you have to pay an overdue fine of at least two euros.

3. Requesting materials from the closed stacks

3.1. Materials from the closed stacks can be requested using the e-catalogue ESTER or a request form. You have to select the second or third floor-service points, the Rariora reading room or the music reading room as the receiving place for the requested materials.

3.2. Requests directed to the second or third-floor service points are fulfilled within one hour on Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 18.00 and on Saturday from 12.00 to 18.00. Requests submitted on Sunday will be fulfilled on Monday. Requested materials will be held at the service points under your name for 14 days; if necessary, the loan period can be extended.

3.3. Materials requested to the music reading room can be used on Monday to Saturday from 12.00 to 18.00, requests will be fulfilled within one hour. Requests submitted on Sunday will be fulfilled on Monday. Requested materials will be held at the service point under your name for 14 days; if necessary, the loan period can be extended.

3.4. Printed materials published up to 1917 (included), materials from the Estica and memorial collections, geographical maps, archival copies of Estonian publications, rare books and materials from the collections of manuscripts, photographs and works of art have to be requested into the Rariora reading room. Requests are fulfilled on Monday to Friday within three hours, from 12.00 to 16.00. Requests placed on weekends will be fulfilled on Monday. Requested materials will be held under your name in the reading room for 30 days; if necessary, the term will be extended by 30 days. Rare materials are not lent if a digital copy exists.

3.5. Newspapers and magazines of the current year are available for in-house use in the newspaper reading room. Older newspapers and magazines have to be requested from the closed stacks. The second-floor service point should be selected as the receiving place for periodicals published after 1945, and the Rariora reading room for periodicals published before 1945 (included).

3.6. Electronic versions of legal deposit materials held as archival copies in the digital archive DIGAR can be read at authorised workstations located in the newspaper and Rariora reading rooms on the second floor and in the music reading room on the third floor.

3.7. Materials that have exceeded the loan period will be returned to the stacks.

4. Returning library materials

4.1. The borrower of library materials is responsible for these materials until they are returned. It is not recommended to leave borrowed materials unattended.

4.2. Borrowed materials can be returned to the 24/7 book drop machine, to any service point and to the returns box located in the lobby during library opening hours, or to a suitable University of Tartu special library in Tartu during its opening hours.

4.3. An overdue fine for delay in returning an item of 0.10 euros per item will be charged for each overdue day for each borrowed item that is not returned or extended on time. Overdue fines can be paid by bank card at library service points or by bank transfer.

4.4. In the event of damage or loss of an item, it must be replaced with the same item or, if this is not possible, the value of the item must be compensated in the amount determined by the library, plus a processing fee.