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Libraries in Tallinn before the Establishment of the Tallinn Municipal Free Public Library
Kalju-Olev Veskimägi
The establishment of libraries for a wider public began
in the 16th century in connection with the Reformation.
Martin Luther’s letter “to all German alderman that they
must found and maintain Christian schools” (1524) sought
education for all people. In the section of the letter touching
on libraries Luther expressed the wish that “no effort or
expense should be spared in the provision of libraries,
particularly in larger towns where this is possible.” Luther’s
appeal was first answered with the establishment of libraries
by towns and then churches. Among old Livonian towns
and cities Riga came to the fore in a praiseworthy way.
At that time Tallinn was almost Riga’s equal in population
but not in cultural interests. The Library established
probably in 1552 near St Olav’s was a church library which
experienced many highs and lows and changes of masters
and locations. In the 19th century it became Tallinn’s biggest
and most important library and is now part of the Tallinn
University Academic Library.
As there was no need for a library it fell into neglect by the
second half of the 16th century. It rose again under Swedish
rule in the middle of the 17th century when Tallinn recovered
economically, the town council granted funds, thereby
taking charge of the library, and consituted a commission to
restore order. In 1668 there were 3v