The Scientific Library of the BNTU was founded in 1920. At present it is the largest university library in the Republic of Belarus. This technical library possesses a universal collection on technology, architecture, arts, natural sciences, etc. The oldest books date back to 1831. The library holdings number more than 2 000 000 items. Each year the library receives over 44 000 new publications. The number of library patrons exceeds 36 000. The library supports educational process and research activities.
Over 2 000 users visit the BNTU library daily. The library comprises 10 circulation desks and 17 reading halls as well as the Electronic Resources Center, interlibrary lending and 22 department libraries Electronic document delivery and virtual reference service are provided. For the students’ convenience reading halls are established in the dorms and remote buildings.
The library conducts an international book exchange with 39 libraries from 9 countries. Among them are: Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Romania, the Ukraine and the USA.
The combination of traditional library services and modern technologies provides comprehensive library and information support to educational and research process.
All the basic library functions are computer-aided. Since 2003 the library applies barcoding technology which permits to keep record of all the documents membership cards.
The library widely uses web 2.0 technologies. It has its blog, YouTube channel, podcast channel, Twitter service. The library has profiles on Facebook and VKontakte social networks.
The Electronic Resources Center provides access to major world and national scientific electronic resources, which are in high demand among library users. The Centre comprises Electronic Theses Library created by the Russian State Library, Scientific Electronic Library elibrary.ru, Emerald, EBSCO, Integrum and others. Users have the opportunity to get information from the BNTU Electronic Library and the databases generated by the BNTU Scientific Library, to work with electronic publications on CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs as well as online.
Starting August 2009 the library provides Wi-Fi access to the Internet in its buildings. Over 700 patrons can work in the library reading halls simultaneously.
The BNTU Scientific Library performs educational and ideological functions. Working in the library has an influence upon personal and academic growth of the students and helps to shape their values.
Over 130 highly educated professionals work in the library to ensure complete and efficient information support for the university faculties and the students. Most of the staff members have high library education. The library staff conducts scientific research and methodological activity in the field of library sciences.
