University library in Bratislava

The University Library in Bratislava ranks among the oldest and most visited research libraries in Slovakia. It was established in 1919 as the library for Comenius University in Bratislava with collections dating back to 17th century. In paralel to its academic purpose it has also served as the national library until 1954. Thereafter it has become an independent, universal, research library serving the general public nationwide. The name University Library has remained, because it speaks of its history, universal character of collections as well as user background.

The library has established crucial international partnerships and has become member of international library associations – IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations), LIBER (Association of European Research Libraries), IAML (International Association of Music Libraries) etc.

Over the years the University Library transformed from a classical library to a modern institution providing complex library and information services that meet users´ needs. Its mission is carried out through library, bibliographic, informational, research, publishing, cultural and educational activities such as:

• the conservation and depository library of Slovak Republic
• the United Nations and UNESCO depository library
• the NATO depository library
• the office of Slovak national retrospective bibliography
• the administrator of the Slovak union catalogue of periodicals
• national agency for international serial identification (ISSN)
• interlibrary loan service, international interlibrary loan service
• conservation and restoration of documents

The main goal of the library is to serve the general public as well as safeguard the cultural heritage and vast documentary wealth for future generations. „Basagic Collection“ of Islamic manuscripts, one of the precious items in our holdings, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List „Memory of the World“.

Currently, the Library has more than 2.6 million titles, including Slovak and foreign literature, magazines, newspapers and other periodicals, manuscripts, old and precious prints, dissertations, musicals, audio and audio-visual documents, bibliographic and publications, databases, UN publications, UNESCO, NATO and modern multimedia media. Documents from socio-scientific and natural sciences prevail. The library has the right to print copies of books and periodicals from the territory of Slovakia since 1919.

Library collections are stored in study libraries, cabinets, warehouses, in free choice of the latest literature and in warehouses in buildings at Michalská, Ventúrska and Klariská as well as in the relief stores in Bratislava.

Archive Department and Registry Administration UKB was established on July 1, 2016 to perform tasks related to comprehensive pre-archive and archival care of internal and external documentation of the organization under applicable legislation. Manages workplaces: registry, electronic registry, registry office, archives.

It is responsible for the operation of the electronic registry management system. It manages the UKB's electronic mailbox at the Central Public Administration Portal of the Slovak Republic and also manages the electronic mailbox of UKB on the Electronic Archive of Slovakia - Electronic Services of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic. Provides advisory, methodological and consulting services to authorized staff of the relevant UKB departments.

Organizes and comprehensively processes archive documents through specific professional techniques, j. Sorting, arranging, internal decommissioning, keeping the inventory or catalogue. Evidence of archive funds and archival tools in electronic form is provided in the archive application WinAFONDY.

Archival documents are preventively and broadwise protected against theft, damage and destruction. The deposit of archival documents in special premises and depots shall be ensured by the methods laid down in binding archival regulations and standards.

It provides information under the Freedom of Information Act and publishes contracts at the Central Portal of Contracts. Provides distribution of mandatory prints and archiving of published titles at the UKB.

It makes available archival tools and archival documents for study and scientific purposes under the Archives and Registry Act. Ensures the activity of a searchable archive for the broad and professional public by specific archive methods and procedures.

Performs scientific research by research of archive collections and collections of the UKB. The results of scientific work are published in professional journals and publications. It also focuses on lecturing and cultural-educational activities. Organizes and participates in scientific conferences, symposia and other professional events.