E-varamu portal acts as a single access point through which it is possible to search for information from the digital collections of Estonian libraries, museums and archives at once. It is not just a list of databases, but an integrated platform based on a modern search engine that combines different types of databases into a single whole.
The aim of the portal is to make all of Estonia's digitally collected and preserved cultural and scientific assets available in one place, offering users the opportunity to find the necessary information quickly and accurately, regardless of its location or the institution that holds it. This means that E-varamu is not limited to one area, but covers a wide spectrum: from scientific publications and archival documents to works of art, photographs, audiovisual material and other digitally preserved objects.
The technical solution of the portal is based on intelligent search algorithms and metadata indexing, which allows users to perform thematic, person-based and cross-disciplinary searches. In addition, the E-Varamu is built on the principle of interoperability, which means that it can interface with various databases within Estonia as well as international platforms, such as Europeana.
Users
The portal is designed for a wide target group, including researchers, lecturers, students, historians and journalists. E-varamu is suitable for both research and personal interest.
International interoperability
E-varamu is integrated Europeana infrastructure to ensure the availability of Estonian digital objects at the European level. With the data exchange agreement signed in 2015, over 400,000 high-quality objects have been transferred to Europeana, making Estonian cultural and scientific data discoverable internationally.
Tallinn University Academic Library Digitization Center – a top solution for Estonian research infrastructure
Tallinn University Academic Library Digitization Center is one of the most important objects on the roadmap for developing Estonian research infrastructure. The center's goal is to ensure the long-term preservation and availability of cultural and scientific materials in digital form, using world-class technology.
E-library ETERA
ETERA is the digital library of the Academic Library of Tallinn University is a modern and interactive environment that brings digital publications and cultural assets directly to the user's screen. The platform is designed to make using digital content easy, fast and enjoyable - regardless of whether you are a researcher, student or just a cultural enthusiast.
State-of-the-art equipment and technology
The digitization center uses the most unique fully automatic scanners in the Baltic States, which allow for the automatic digitization of both books and large-sized documents up to A1 format. These Swiss-made devices are a top example of technology - the largely handmade construction ensures exceptional accuracy and reliability. The scanners are equipped with the latest digital cameras from the French company I2S, which can capture images with a resolution of up to 170 megapixels, thereby ensuring the highest quality even for the most detailed objects. The center's productivity is impressive – it can digitize up to three million documents per year, making it one of the most efficient digitization centers in the region
Digitization of rare prints
In addition to fully automatic scanners, the center uses a semi-automatic scanner ScanVpage, which is designed for digitizing rare and partially openable publications. This unique device allows to scan documents that cannot be fully opened without damaging their structure. ScanVpage can take pictures up to A3 format and with a resolution of 800 dpi, using a special V-shaped anti-reflective glass, which ensures optimal image quality.
Fully automated workflow
The Digitization Center's work processes are built on fully automated digitization workflow software. This software allows:
• Image processing and quality control
• Text and structure recognition (OCR)
• Adding and validating metadata
• Creation of output files in various formats
Through this workflow, mass digitization is possible without interruptions to the work process, ensuring continuity and efficiency.