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Here you can read about Umeå University Library and some of the areas we work with, such as open science. You will also find links to our social media channels.
Umeå University Library is the most extensive research library in northern Sweden. Our target groups are primarily students and employees at Umeå University and employees at the University Hospital, but the library is also open to the public.
Umeå University Library (UmUB) consists of three libraries:
Here you can read more about the different libraries:
History
Umeå University Library originates from "Vetenskapliga biblioteket i Umeå" (the Scientific Library in Umeå) which was established at Umeå stadsbibliotek (Umeå City Library) in 1950. In 1958, when the government decided to establish a medical college in Umeå, a medical library was created as well, leading to an enhancement of the activities at Vetenskapliga biblioteket.
In 1965, when the Umeå University inauguration ceremony was held, its library had already existed for one year. The first library director at UmUB was Paul Sjögren. There were immediate plans to set up a new library building on Campus. The constructions were initiated in the spring of 1967, and in 1968 the main building of the University Library, in the heart of campus, was finished. The circulation desk opened on 2 December the same year, the Research Hall a few days later and the textbook reading room opened on 3 March 1969. At the time the library building attracted attention for its interior and open access system. Since then several reconstructions and additions have been made to UmUB, the latest in 2006. A new building for the Medical Library was built in the autumn of 2002.
Donations
Umeå University Library has received several donations over the years, for example those from Sigurd Curman and Olof Östergren, and through the Stiftelsen Seth M. Kempe minnesfond, has been able to receive parts of book collections belonging to Nils Ahnlund, Björn Collinder, Eli Heckscher and Gustaf Hellström. The library also houses the archive of author Sara Lidman.
Legal deposits to the library
Everyone who copies or publishes a work for general distribution in Sweden is obliged by law to send one copy each to seven specific libraries. Umeå University Library is one of these libraries, and this is an important part of the development of the library collection. The Law for Legal Deposits encompasses printed books, newspapers, brochures, maps, posters, postcards etcetera. Umeå University Library makes a selection of the material.
European Documentation Centre (EDC)
Umeå University Library is a European Documentation Centre (EDC).
EDC is a body designated by the European Commission. The purpose is to develop studies and research and make information from the European Union (EU) available to the general public. There are ten EDC libraries in Sweden.
Find more information on the EU here:
EU information (The Swedish Parliament)
You can access EU databases via the library:
EU legislation (list of databases)
Eurostat (EU statistics)
Contact the library for information on how to find legislation and statistics from the EU.
Equal opportunities
At the library, we work with equal opportunities on the basis of Umeå University's policy and vision.
We are currently actively working on equal opportunities in the following ways:
Open science
Open science is about making research more accessible, transparent, and inclusive. Research results should be easy to disseminate, read, and use. Here are some examples of how the library works with open science:
The University Library.
Image Erik Vesterberg
The Medical Library.
Image Erik Vesterberg
The Arts Campus.
Image Mostphotos/Monica Brodin