History

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The predecessor of Põlva Central Library was the Public Library of Koiola Parish, founded in 1926 and originally situated in the community centre. There were only 69 books in the library’s collection in 1926.

Currently, there are about 80 000 books.

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The first library director was remarkable man Eduard Tamm (1888–1984), who was a community clerk and librarian at the time. He worked in the library from 1926 to 1939, until an administrative reform took place and Põlva Parish was formed. Tamm returned to work in the library in 1941 and again during 1944–1949.

After the administrative reform, the library was named Põlva Central Library and moved to its current location, the so-called society house, built by the Society for People’s Education of Põlva in 1910. The library was destroyed during the Second World War. Some of the catalogues and other documents were saved by Tamm and are currently held in the Karilatsi Open Air Museum. Today, there is only one book from the pre-war period in the library, „Sõdur Katrin” (Soldier Katrin) by Adrienne Thomas, which was returned in 1998.

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After the Põlva District was formed in 1950, the library was renamed Põlva District Library. The Children`s Library was founded in 1955. Between the end of the fifties and the beginning of sixties, the libraries moved to new locations – 22 and 27 Kesk Street (formerly Oktoobri Street). Two libraries were connected in the middle of the seventies and a children’s department was formed; the library was renamed Põlva Central Library. But there was not enough space and the rooms were uncomfortable, the houses were finally returned to their real owners.

The rebuilding of the former society house began in November 1995. Its exterior has been restored to its original appearance. The library was opened in this building on 20 December 1996.

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The library has beautiful interior decorations; the readers can feel comfortable here. The building also accommodates a conference hall and a music department (the so-called music balcony).

Põlva Central Library has had an internet public access point since 1999. The library uses special web-based library software named URRAM.