Library's history
In the 1920’s Jernkontoret’s book collections were brought together to form a library. The books were arranged in accordance with a homemade classification system. A handwritten, very summary alphabetic and systematic catalogue was drawn up. At the same time Jernkontoret was able to take over parts of the library of the now closed Falun Mining School.
As of 1949, the library’s literature contents were classified in accordance with the UDK system and a re-cataloguing of parts of the older book stock has gradually taken place.
At the start of the 1950’s the Swedish Mining Association handed over a book collection comprising 53 boxes that belonged to the mining engineer, Herman Sundholm (died 1945). This collection has been sorted out and parts of it have been incorporated with the library. The still unprocessed material is now kept in the book store where it is arranged in subject groups. It now covers 30 metres of shelving with information on notable individuals in Swedish mining (frequently incomplete), brochure material on ironworks, mines and different technical issues as well as illustrations of Swedish works and mines, principally postcards.
The collection remains to be catalogued, except for the section on mining and metallurgical law. This comprises around five metres of shelves covering Swedish and foreign literature on mining and metallurgy and, in addition to this, there is a special register.
During the years 1964-65, Jernkontoret moved to new premises in Kungsträdgårdsgatan 10. This meant a reduction in the library’s space, for which reason it was necessary to carry out a radical thinning out of both the stock of books and the collection of periodicals.
The total stock of books in Jernkontoret’s library amounts to approximately 600 metres of shelving, of which books account for 160 metres and periodicals 440 metres. In terms of volumes, this is equivalent to roughly 6,500 books and 15,000 publications. In addition to this there are about eight metres of shelving encompassing off-prints and brochures.
An extensive rebuilding of the library premises was undertaken during the period from March 2000 to March 2002 and the library is now housed in modern premises.
Librarian
Yngve Axelsson
tel +46 8 679 17 51
yngve.axelsson@jernkontoret.se
