Renewal limit being reduced for Special Collections Reading Room loans

Date published

The Special Collections Reading Room is intended for the study of the Library’s oldest and most unique collections, such as the National Collection, special collections, manuscripts, maps and other material that needs to be handled with special care.

There are certain restrictions in place for reserving and handling of materials in the Special Collections Reading Room. The Special Collections Reading Room loans have until now had a limit of 50 renewals. From Thursday March 2, 2023, the number of allowed renewals will be three (3).  

The reason for the new renewal limit is to ensure the statutory duty of the National Library of Finland to preserve our printed national heritage and to protect material safety. Three renewals still allow for a four-month loan period.    

It is recommended that you always order only the necessary amount of material for the Special Collections Reading Room. Reservations, which need to be made in advance, can easily be done in the National Library’s search service.  

The delivery time to the Special Collections Reading Room varies between 1 and 3 business days, depending on the collection. Materials from the special collections and the manuscript collection are delivered by 11 am the following business day. The delivery time for the National Collection is two business days from the order by 11 am. The map collection and the ephemera collection delivery time is 3 business days.

The new renewal limit will come into effect on March 2, 2023, and will also affect already borrowed materials.

The National Library Search Service 
Working in the Special Collections Reading Room
Rules for the Special Collections Reading Room