This article is brought to you by the IFLA National Libraries Section

Minu Raamatukogu (MIRKO) (My Library (MIRKO)) is a nationwide library lending platform managed by the National Library of Estonia. It combines the borrowing of both physical and digital publications into one convenient service. The goal of the platform is to make reading and access to publications easier and more accessible to everyone.

The national e-lending service offers e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks published in Estonia. Up to five publications can be borrowed at a time, the loan period is 21 days – after that the publication is automatically deleted from the user’s account. Users can also place a hold on publications that are currently unavailable. The service quickly became popular, but due to limited funding, the selection of publications is modest, consisting mainly of fiction.

The other part of MIRKO service is option for users to search for and borrow publications from libraries across Estonia (https://laenutus.mirko.ee). The books are delivered to the user – either to a parcel locker of their choice or directly to the specified address. Currently 87 libraries have joined as service providers. In the future, all Estonian libraries may join.

The platform is easy to use both on computers and mobile devices. The national e-lending service can also be used on a mobile application, available for iOS and Android, allowing publications to be used even without an internet connection.

It is a free service for anyone with an Estonian personal identification code, regardless of their location. The only exception is the delivery of physical publications, which is provided within Estonia and must be paid for by the user. Users come from every municipality in Estonia, and even from outside of Estonia.

The service has been available since September 2022 and currently has almost 3% of the population as users. In 2024, the annual circulation was almost 146 000.

Author:  Kristel Veimann, member IFLA National Libraries Section, Director of Library Services, National Library of Estonia