On September 5, the lively atmosphere of the legendary TalTech Campus Party also reached the library, where a pop-up library at the entrance offered discoveries for staff, students, and alumni alike. Around 570 visitors explored the library during the day.
The pop-up library welcomed the first guests early on, giving them the chance to register as readers, get reading recommendations, take part in an emoji game, and test which literary hero they most resemble. On site, the activities were led by Teevi Kiisel, Rannet Tiivits, and Katri Mägi, while robot Temi entertained visitors.
In addition, three guided tours took participants behind the scenes of the library. Alumni, students, and staff had the opportunity to explore not only the public areas but also the underground storage and staff-only spaces.
As part of the university’s campus tours, the museum also opened its collections to visitors. Three tours with 82 participants introduced treasures from the 1920s–1930s through a period-inspired installation created by Kelli Luik. Guests could browse original lecture notes, classified documents, vintage photos, and scientific instruments, while historical images ran across a photo wall.
Excitement was further sparked by theses defended at Tallinn College of Engineering between 1923 and 1936, showcased from the library’s thesis archive. Students of the time designed electric railways and city bridges, studied the use of phosphorite and peat, and developed ideas for energy networks, retirement homes, and cultural centers—topics that remain relevant today.
“It is fascinating to see how theses from a century ago reflect issues that still resonate in society today—from sustainable transport to dignified ageing,” said Kai Kalvik, Head of Information Services Division, who selected 13 compelling theses from the collections.
The Campus Party proved once again that the library and museum are meeting places where people, innovation, and history come together.
