History
Before the library building on Bráfova Street in the centre of Ostrava was constructed, the library collection was scattered between the former lending library and branch offices. The lending library was located in the former Faculty of Science building on Bráfova Street; the study room operated in the House of Children and Youth on Ostrčilova Street; and the study room of the Faculty of Arts on Československých legií Street was later added. Discussions about constructing a single, central building that would meet all legislative standards began when Professor Jiří Močkoř was appointed as the second rector of the University of Ostrava in 1995. The library officially opened in its new premises at Bráfova 3 on January 22, 1999.
Since 1997, users have had access to the T-Series electronic catalogue (formerly TINLIB). In 2007, the T-Series was replaced by the more modern DAIMON library system, synchronised with the STAG OU study agenda. Since 2009, the library has used the Aleph system from Ex Libris. In 2021, the library began a gradual transition to using RFID technology to secure the library collection.
Since 2000, our users have had access to electronic information resources. These prepaid bibliographic and full-text databases provide online access to information, particularly foreign professional and scientific journals, articles and abstracts. People use remote access, i.e. access from home, to these resources regularly. To make searching and working with e-resources more comfortable and efficient, library users have been using the EDS (EBSCO Discovery Service) since 2013. Since 2018, e-resources have been purchased through the CzechELib National Centre for Electronic Information Resources. We are expanding our range of e-books. Alongside purchased e-book titles, our users have had access to the Bookport online library of Czech professional books since 2020, and since 2023 they have had access to over 200,000 titles from the ProQuest Ebook Central – Academics Ebook Subscription.
In terms of lending services, our users have been able to return books via the Bibliobox located outside the library building since 2012. Since 2015, they have also been able to return books to faculty study rooms, saving many of them a trip to the centre of Ostrava. Another efficiency improvement came in 2018 with the introduction of return boxes located outside individual faculty study room entrances. Since 2021, we have offered the option of picking up ordered books from selected faculty study rooms. We offer convenient, user-friendly lending services. Users can choose where to borrow or return books.
The development of the university and the establishment of new faculties has led to the creation of faculty study rooms. These rooms are located in the buildings of the various faculties across Ostrava. This video shows what the study rooms looked like in 2015. Short videos of individual faculty study rooms can be found on our library′s YouTube channel, showing their current appearance. We currently have five faculty study rooms.
In response to the changing requirements and needs of our users, the library premises have been continuously modernised and renovated. In 2008, the Pyramida Centre opened on the ground floor of the library to provide services for students with specific needs. It remained in operation until 2022. In 2009, the second floor of the library was significantly transformed, with the internal meeting room being converted into an educational space for the Pyramida Centre and the library. This new space was not only equipped with new furniture, but also with modern projection technology. The adjoining space was converted into a Media Library and Relaxation Centre. If necessary, it was possible to connect both spaces. In 2010, the magazine reading room on the ground floor of the library was partially transformed. More comfortable study areas were created and furnished, and the area allocated for storing older magazine issues was reduced.
A short video capturing the University Library premises in 2015 can be viewed on the university′s YouTube channel.
In the summer of 2016, the lending facilities on the ground floor of the building were renovated. A new, more welcoming lending desk for three employees was installed, along with new computer stations for ordering documents. The following year, the lending staff office was modernised.
Two years later, at the end of 2018, the S-zone, a new multifunctional space divided into two parts, was opened on the second floor. The conference area provides 24 study places and is intended for educational events and training, while the relaxation area with armchairs is available for students to use as a space for rest and study.
The latest renovation was the conversion of the magazine study room into the Jacques Rupnik Study Room. The grand opening took place in June 2022. This newest study room, located on the ground floor, serves as a multifunctional space designed for educational and cultural events. In its first year, it has hosted important events such as the Rector′s College, an international summer school, a meeting of the ASIIN international agency commission and various conferences.
The University Library of the University of Ostrava is changing to meet the requirements placed on an information institution in the third millennium and to become a suitable base for the university′s scientific, research, and educational activities.
Updated: 14. 08. 2025
