The University opens its doors - University Library

The University opens its doors - University Library

On October 19, 2023, we visited the University library as part of our event series, the University opens its doors. During the walk, we were able to learn many interesting facts about the library's building, paintings, special books, and we were also able to see a copy of the Perczel globe and the interactive Eötvös exhibition.

The walk was opened by Petz Denise Gerda, an employee of the ELTE Alumni Center, who greeted everyone and drew attention to the upcoming Alumni programs. After that, the library employee, Kinga Sutóczki, took the floor, who briefly summarized which programs our guests can participate in during the walk, and then asked those present to join one of the three specialist guides. The three groups formed in this way viewed the library's treasures in separate rounds.

The library history walk was led by Kinga Sutóczki. During the library tour, those interested could get acquainted with the marble plaques dedicated to prominent figures in the history of the library, the painting by Than Mór the Great Hall, and the paintings and frescoes of Károly Lotz. From here, we headed to the circular director's room, where there is a copy of the famous Perczel globe bus. The Artifact Warehouse opens from the room previously used as the director's quarters. Arriving on the balcony, the speaker told us about how the apartments of the library workers used to be located behind some of the windows visible from there, which were gradually transformed into book warehouses or work rooms over time. Today, with almost 2 million documents, the University Library is the third largest library in the capital.

The Eötvös exhibition was presented by Barnabás Standi, a student majoring in history, where we learned about the life of Loránd Eötvös and his scientific achievements, all with the help of interactive tools, augmented reality, and VR glasses.

Thanks to the librarian Martin Rémai, we were able to gain an insight into the rare books of the library. We were able to see a micro-book from 1972, a Mikes Kelemen manuscript, a 16th-century printed book with many maps, as well as the extremely valuable first book that was printed in Hungary and that never left the territory of the country.

We would like to thank the library staff for the opportunity and the excellent management, as well as the help in the organization!