The reference library
The reference library is a part of our collections that do not need to be requested, but is available on our premises. Here you will find encyclopaedias, handbooks, bibliographies, facsimiles and some periodicals.
You can find material in the reference library yourself. Once you have consulted the material, please put it on the designated trolley so that it can be put back by staff. As with most of the National Library's material, it is not possible to borrow these books.
How do I find it?
The reference library is spread across large parts of the public premises. You can search directly on the shelves or use our service Regina External link, opens in new window.. In Regina you may limit the search to only those parts of the collections that are included in the reference library. If you do not find what you are looking for, we will be happy to help.
Placement and shelf mark
- Most of the reference library is organized by subject using a system called Dewey. It might look like this: RefKB 720.9485. See the leaflet for different subject areas: Reference library layout (in Swedish, Finns den här på engelska?) pdf, 54.1 kB, opens in new window..
- In the Special Reading Room (floor 6), it is arranged according to a different system. This is how a shelf mark might look: RefKBHA Lexicon.
- Reference material shelved in the Newspaper Reading Room (Annex, level 1) uses a shelf mark beginning with RefKBML. See the leaflet above.
- Some of our journals are available in full. These are located in the Periodicals Reading Room (Annex, level 2) and have a shelfmark starting with RefKB TLKB.
Foreign literature
The library also has the latest foreign literature in the humanities. Older material needs to be ordered. You can also borrow most of it.
Read more about the foreign collection