Cultural research collections

The cultural research collections (shelf marks D-H and Di) contain domestic and foreign literature on folklore studies, cultural anthropology, comparative religion, ethnology, and ethnomusicology. The volumes on comparative religion focus in particular on popular belief and research into ethnic religions, and the ethnology collection on research into social life.

The open access collection in the Ethnological Department contains domestic literature on cultural research dating back to the start of the 1900s and foreign literature starting from 1970. Domestic and foreign literature published before 1900 is housed in the storeroom, and materials can be retrieved while customers wait. Foreign literature published before 1970 is held in closed stacks. The library’s special collections also contain some literature on cultural research.

Catalogues:

• The Helka database (all literature acquired after 1992 and some of the older material)
• The library’s main card index in the lending office (material acquired before 1992)
• Card indices by subject in the Ethnological Department (material acquired before 1992)

Using the collection: Literature held in closed stack (shelf marks D-H.v and D-H.vf) is available for use on request, see archive requests. Material published before 1900 can only be used in the reading room. Copying old or fragile material is restricted.

Periodicals

The library receives over three hundred Finnish and foreign journals on cultural research. The collection also has a considerable number of periodicals that are no longer published. Dozens of titles are available as electronic journals.

Catalogues:

• The Helka database
• The periodicals catalogue in the Ethnological Department
• Catalogue of electronic journals on cultural research

Using the collection: The shelf mark for periodicals is Di. Most of the periodicals are in the open access collection or in the storeroom, and can be retrieved immediately. A few old, foreign journals are held in closed stacks. The most recent issues are reserved for use in the library; back issues are available for loan.

Reference books and bibliographies

The reference books and bibliographies are divided into sub-categories that can be browsed using the Helka database.

Catalogues:

• the Helka database

Using the collection: Reference books and bibliographies can be used in the reading room, but may not be taken out on loan.

Other humanities literature

In addition to literary research and cultural research, the Society’s collections contain other humanities literature. The most important fields include the book trade, local histories, history, linguistics and the Finnish language, sociology, philosophy and psychology.

Catalogues:

• The Helka database (all literature acquired after 1992 and some older material)
• The library’s main card index in the lending office (material acquired before 1992)

Using the collection: The collection of humanities literature is held in closed stackss. The volumes in the collections are available for use on request (see archive requests). Material published before 1900 can only be used in the reading room. The copying of old and fragile material is restricted.