Arhiivkogu Rahvusraamatukogus

Published as the sixth book in the Estonian National Library's archive series, this collection of articles focuses on the library's archival collection, providing an overview of its creation in 1935, when the 400th anniversary of the Estonian book was celebrated, the distribution of the collection in occupied Estonia, and its restoration in the newly independent Republic of Estonia. In addition to the historical overview, the individual collections of records, sheet music, and maps that make up the archival collection are introduced in depth. The history of Estonian literature is illustrated by a discussion of poetry books published at the turn of the 19th/20th centuries. Two articles are dedicated to the Metsik lending library, established in the second half of the 19th century, and the book-loving Pruuli farm family, thanks to whom this collection, the only one of its kind, has been almost completely preserved. Since the primary task of the archival collection is preservation, the works in it do not come into the hands of users very often, and this collection, so important to Estonian culture, often remains unnoticed.

This publication contributes to the dissemination of valuable information, captures the literary heritage and offers reading to both researchers and a wider circle of interested people, the text is illustrated with plenty of pictures. All texts have been translated into English. The series has previously published publications introducing the National Library's cookbooks, Estonian free graphics, State Library rarities, the history of Estonian vinyl records and Estonian binding marks.