Skip to main content
To KTH's start page

The collections

Back of books from the older collection

Since the first acquistions in 1826 the library collections have grown in concurrence with scientific developpement. From printed works to today’s extensive digital resources, the old and the new, side by side.

To search the rare books collection, use these scanned card catalogues. Don't hesitate to contact the library if you need help finding a book!

Search in the KTH Library catalogue, 1913-1960

New books at KTH Library

Want to know what books the library purchased? Here you can see the library's new books, both print and online.

Search in the KTH Library catalogue, 1827–1913

Electronic collections

The library provides e-journals, e-books and databases, emphasising the main fields of research and education at KTH.

KTH Library provide:

  • 500 000 e-books
  • 133 databases
  • 12 000 e-journals

A number of these resources are open access, free to use by all patrons. However, most of the electronic resources are accessible only to library users affiliated to KTH.

About databases and search tools

Print collections

Most of the KTH Library print collections are located on KTH Campus in Stockholm. Rare books and print journals must be requested in advance.

Two librarians works in the rare books collection.
  • The Rare Books Collection
    Books acquired from 1825 to 1960. This is a unique documentation of Sweden's development from agrarian land to industrial nation and spans a broad subject field. The Rare Books Collection also include a manuscript archive and a collection of correspondence. The collection is available by appointment only.
  • The 1961-2001 Collection
    The collection is available in Open stacks.
  • The Dewey Book Collection Books acquired from 2002 and continuing.
     

Special Collections

  • The Architecture Collection cover 30,000 books on architecture, architectural history, building construction theory, teaching theory, and urban construction. In addition, KTH Library subscribe to architectural journals. 
  • Byggdoksamlingen cover literature on property, building and environment. The collection includes construction research in Sweden until 2003 and provides a general view of Swedish building research. The collection is available in Open stacks.
  • The Holm Collection is our smallest collection and is related to the physicist Ragnar Holm's research. The collection is placed in a glass cabinet in the North Gallery.
  • The Flight Collection includes books on aeronautics, aerodynamics, space technology and fluid mechanics, as well as about 20,000 technical reports (NACA, AGARD etc.). The collection is available in the Towing tank and in Open stacks.
  • The KTH Collection contains material that has been published at KTH and submitted to the library before 2010. The collection is located in Closed stacks.
  • The Collection for International Congresses contains publications from various congresses around the world. The collection is located in External stacks.
  • The Collection in Energy and Nuclear Technology consists of books in the areas of energy and energy related environmental technology, and about 100,000 reports. Particularly extensive is the collection within the nuclear energy field from the 1950s onwards. The collection is available in Open stacks.
  • The International Development Cooperation Collection (SIUS) focuses on international development cooperation within the environment, land and water, planning, construction and energy in a sustainable perspective. The collection is available in the Open stacks.
  • The Collection for Technology and Science History contains books on technology and science from a social and historical perspective. The collection is available in Arkaden.

Journals

All print journals, except journals on Architecture and Technology and Science History, are located in External stacks. Print journals are only available on demand.

Art collections

One of the instruments in the collection

The Collection Of Borelius

The Borelius Collection consists of scientific instruments dating from the 18th to the early 20th century. The instruments were acquired by KTH for use in research, laboratory work, and demonstrations. A permanent exhibition of around 50 instruments from the collection is displayed in specially designed cases located throughout the library.

The exhibition was created by artist Charlotta Östlund, commissioned by the Public Art Agency Sweden in 2002.

Read more about the exhibition From The Collection Of Borelius  (artist’s portfolio)