Krista Aru

Koostöö, usaldus ja eluterve valmisolek muutusteks: TÜ raamatukogu aastatel 2022–2023

Introduction

Koostöö, usaldus ja eluterve valmisolek muutusteks: tÜ raamatukogu aastatel 2022–2023. TÜ raamatukogu 2022-2023: koostöö, usaldus ja valmisolek muutusteks. Avasta raamatukogu kohanemine digiajastuga, uued teenused, jätkusuutlikkus ja turvalisus.

Abstract

Cooperation, Trust and Common-sense Preparedness for Changes: the University of Tartu Library in 2022–2023 The last two years, 2022 and 2023, have been very specific in the life of the library. In 2022, the library celebrated its 220th anniversary. Feeling the weight of its dignified history, our task is to act wisely, so that the university’s research library can adapt to the expectations and demands of the information and digital turn without losing the dignity accumulated through its history. The International Vision Conference held in 2022 sought to answer questions about the role of research libraries in the coming decades. Although there was no single right answer, the important role of libraries as the sharers of knowledge, supporters of intellectual life and keepers of links between the past and the future was emphasised. The jubilee year was overshadowed by Russia’s launching of a full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022. This made the library prepare for possible emergency situations, including the reorganisation of the shelter, which is ready for emergency use starting from the beginning of 2023. The library has become livelier and more flexible, taking into account the changing preferences and needs of its users. It is important to be continuously aware of different cultural spaces and to offer diverse services and experiences.In terms of sustainability, the library has invested in solar energy production and implemented innovative solutions such as robotic cleaners. The library has also committed to comply with the sustainability agreement and continues to improve the energy efficiency of the building. The library is open and attentive to its users, trying to maintain its democratic nature and offer services to all interested parties. In 2022, the library’s very diverse activities were throughout the year introduced to the public in the series of articles „Utlib 220”, which appeared in the newspaper Postimees once a month. A painful lesson in collection security encouraged the library to map the threats related to the movement and preservation of collections and to start eliminating them in a modern way. Finally, it is necessary to emphasise the importance of library cooperation and mutual support. The jubilee year, vision conferences, solar energy investments, sustainability agreement and security reflect the library’s multifaceted development and adaptation to the changing environment.

Review

The abstract for "Koostöö, usaldus ja eluterve valmisolek muutusteks: TÜ raamatukogu aastatel 2022–2023" provides a compelling overview of the University of Tartu Library's journey during a particularly dynamic two-year period. Focusing on the themes of cooperation, trust, and a pragmatic readiness for change, the paper aims to document how the library navigated significant milestones and challenges between 2022 and 2023. It positions the library as an institution actively balancing its rich historical legacy with the pressing demands of the modern information and digital landscape, demonstrating a commitment to evolution while preserving its foundational dignity. The abstract highlights a remarkable breadth of strategic initiatives undertaken by the library. Foremost is its ability to celebrate a 220th anniversary while simultaneously hosting an International Vision Conference to redefine the future role of research libraries amidst the digital turn. Crucially, the library's responsiveness extends beyond academic discourse; it proactively addressed the geopolitical instability stemming from the war in Ukraine by reorganizing emergency shelters and enhancing collection security. Further demonstrating its adaptive capacity, the library invested significantly in sustainability through solar energy and robotic cleaners, implemented user-centric service adjustments, and fostered democratic access through robust public engagement campaigns like "Utlib 220." In conclusion, the abstract effectively conveys the University of Tartu Library's multifaceted development and exemplary adaptation to a rapidly changing environment. The integration of historical reverence with forward-looking strategies, alongside practical responses to both technological shifts and external crises, offers valuable insights. This account would be particularly pertinent for other academic libraries grappling with similar pressures related to digital transformation, sustainability, user engagement, and resilience in uncertain times. The emphasis on cooperation and mutual support underscores a holistic approach to institutional vitality, making this paper a testament to strategic leadership and adaptive practice in the contemporary library sector.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.