Dr. Walter Baluja García, Minister of Higher Education of Cuba, and Dr. László Borhy, Rector of ELTE, President of the Hungarian Rectors' Conference, led a rectorial delegation from the island country to the ELTE University Library and Archives on 20 May 2025.
For our pleasure, the delegation from Cuba took part in a guided tour of our library, visiting the representative spaces of the building. During the visit, Dr. Kulcsár Szabó Ernőné Gombos Annamária, Director General of the ELTE University Library and Archives, welcomed the guests. The Cuban Minister of Higher Education left a memory of the visit in the Guest Book, which contains the handwriting of prominent personalities from the very beginning of the Library Palace's history, as a legacy for future generations.
At the invitation of the Economic Sciences Workshop of the ELTE Márton Áron Dormitory for Advanced Studies, on May 22, 2025, Tibor Faragó-Szilvási and Tibor Móring, staff members of the Education and Research Support Department of the ELTE University Library and Archives, gave an online lecture entitled Research Support with Modern Tools: Scientific Databases, Research Data, Reference Management.
During the event, participants gained a comprehensive overview of scientific databases, digital research tools, and search methods applicable to literature searches in the field of economics. In addition, they were introduced to the benefits of Open Access publishing and the opportunities offered by Read and Publish agreements.
In the second half of the presentation, special attention was given to research data management, the implementation of the FAIR principles, and the use of data repositories. The session concluded with a demonstration of the Zotero software, which supports the organization of scholarly literature and reference management.
Abstracts of the lectures:
Literature Search and Open Access Publishing
During the lecture, participants were introduced to databases that provide scientific information for researchers in the field of economic sciences. The presentation showcased digital tools and search methods that help navigate the vast amount of information and find truly relevant sources. One of the most significant scientific achievements of the 21st century is the emergence and spread of the Open Science ecosystem, which, by democratizing scientific information, creates new opportunities for solving global challenges. The presentation also reviewed the essence and advantages of Read and Publish agreements.
Research Data Management and the Use of Reference Management Software
Scientific research is supported not only by academic journals. In today’s scientific communication, the proper management of data generated during research is becoming increasingly important: storing and sharing data according to standards. Participants learned about the concept of research data, its types, and possible methods of creation. Further topics of the presentation included the principles of FAIR research data management and tools that support the storage of research data, such as data repositories. In the final part of the lecture, the Zotero reference management software was introduced, which provides effective assistance in organizing literature, automatically generating citations, and supporting scientific writing. Through practical examples, the main functions of Zotero, its integration with word processors, and its benefits for collaborative research work were demonstrated.
Source/author of illustration:
The image was generated with the assistance of ChatGPT (OpenAI).
Clarivate is offering trial access to the Web of Science Research Assistant for subscribers in Hungary as part of the „Clarivate AI Month”. The trial period provides an opportunity for researchers at institutions to get acquainted with this new, AI-based research support tool.
Details of the trial:
Duration: May 26, 2025 – June 25, 2025
Access: Available via the Research Assistant on the Web of Science homepage, either at the top or in the middle of the page, by connecting to the ELTE internet network, or outside the university using a VPN service.
The Web of Science Research Assistant is a responsibly developed, generative AI-powered tool that enhances your research and helps you discover fresh insights faster so you can focus on creating new knowledge. Far more than just a chatbot, our assistant runs alongside you as you work, keeping up with your research needs as they develop. Intelligent discovery helps you effortlessly interpret and explore the literature. Task-based guidance and contextual prompts light up potential paths forward and enable you to complete complex research tasks faster.
The Hungarian Academy of Sciences will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2025. Among its members are many distinguished students and teachers who have left their mark not only on the Academy but also on the history of our institution. Loránd Eötvös (1848–1919) physicist, the namesake of our university was a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences from 1873.
Loránd Eötvös was born on 27 July 1848 in Buda. He completed his secondary schooling from 1857 at the Piarist monastery in Pest and as a private student. He began his university studies at the Faculty of Law and in 1867 enrolled at the University of Heidelberg, where he attended lectures on natural sciences by Gustav Robert Kirchhoff, Hermann Ludwig von Helmholtz and Robert Wilhelm Bunsen. He obtained his doctorate in 1870, and in 1871 he became a private tutor at the Budapest University of Science. In 1878, after the retirement of Ányos Jedlik, he was appointed head of the department of experimental physics. In the academic year 1891/92 he was Rector of the University, and between 1894 and 1895 he was Minister of Religion and Public Education. On the 100th anniversary of his death, the ELTE University Library and Archives commemorated his life and work with a major exhibition, the printed catalogue of which was published in 2023.
Following the 2021 survey, the University Library and Archives is once again conducting a needs assessment to map the quantity and types of research data managed by the university’s researchers.
The results of the 2021 survey are available here. The aim of the current survey is to collect up-to-date information and valuable feedback on researchers’ experiences with research data management, their motivations and the challenges they face. In addition, we seek to assess the university community’s needs for library services that support the proper management and storage of research data, particularly the data steward service.
In recent years, research data management has become an increasingly important area. This is demonstrated not only by the data management plans required for NKKP project applications, but also by the “National Position Paper on Open Science” document, initiated by the NKFIH and endorsed by numerous supporting organizations. We believe it is essential for the survey to reflect actual needs, which is why we aim to reach as many researchers as possible.
The questionnaire is available in the Neptun system for instructors and PhD students until 22 June 2025. Participation is voluntary and anonymous, and completing the survey takes no more than 15 minutes.
The animated film „Saffi” will be screened on 21 June 2025 from 18.00 in the exhibition hall of the ELTE University Library and Archives.
Attila Dargay's third hit film, Saffi, based on the short novel The Gypsy Baron by Mór Jókai, tells the story of two lovers' strange encounter in the final days of Turkish occupation. The romantic story, typical of the Dargay tales, is full of charming animal characters and parodic, humorous dialogue. The voice-overs are now cultic: the main characters are voiced by András Kern, Judit Pogány, Hilda Gobbi, György Bárdy, Ferenc Zenthe, László Csákányi and Judit Hernádi. The digital restoration was made in collaboration with Dargay's permanent colleague, cinematographer Irén Henrik.
Our story is set in the 17th century, when the Habsburgs decide to drive the Turks out of Hungary. Sofia, daughter of Ahmed Pasha, and Jonah, son of the Hungarian lord of the castle, Gáspár Botsinkay, had been destined for each other since they were children. During the war, however, the Botsinkay family and the Turk have to flee, so they bury a chest of treasure in the courtyard of Botsinka's castle. The baby Sofia is lost during the escape and is found by a strange old woman who names her after her cat, and loves and nurtures her as if she were her own child. Jonah, a gallant young man, returns to his father's estate and goes in search of the hidden treasure. However, it is not only Jonah who wants to find the treasure, but also the freeloaders.
The dialogues recorded by the pair of József Nepp and József Romhányi are full of anachronistic utterances, as when Puzzola, in his job description, lists film criticism alongside document forgery and poisoning: „I am an intellectual. I do forgery, poisoning, counterfeiting, film criticism...”. However, in keeping with his oeuvre and his philosophy, Dargay renders the unconventional story accessible not only to the forever young adult, but also to little children, with a strong emphasis on comic characters, misunderstandings, intrigue and amusing dialogue.
Venue: ELTE University Library and Archives, Exhibition space
Time: 21 June 2025, 18:00
(English subtitles are provided for the film.)
The screening is organised by the ELTE–NFI University Film Club. After the film screening, starting at 19:30, a discussion will be offered with animator Zsolt Baumgartner, animation director (Four Souls of Kojot), head of animation studio workshop. English interpretation will also be offered for the conversation.
At the ELTE University Library and Archives (1053 Budapest, Ferenciek tere 6.) on 21 June 2025 between 15.00 and 24.00, Zsuzsanna Illés, artist and founder of the Fabula fire enamel atelier will hold a workshop in our community space as part of the Night of Museums programme. Visitors will be able to gain an insight into the art of fire enamelling.
Discover a new technique! Let's play: try the fabulous way of painting with fire, unwind and lose yourself in the experience. Surely, you will be enriched with an enamelled picture, a piece of jewellery or an ornament of your own artwork, and if all goes well: an experience. During the workshop, you will be able to create an enamel picture, a keyring, a fridge magnet or a gift box. For more information, please visit our website or the Night of Museums’ homepage. All visitors are welcome!
ELTE organizes Third CHARM-EU Open Science Training on 20th May 2025.
The Third Open Science training event of the CHARM-EU Alliance will be organized under the coordination of Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), placing a strong emphasis on the fundamentals of Open Science, the use of open licenses, digital tools, and the management of open data.
Promoting the dissemination of scientific knowledge through open access is one of the key objectives of the CHARM-EU partnership. The upcoming training—held in a hybrid format at ELTE—aims to foster the exchange of expertise and practical experiences among partner university staff to support the development of institutional open science practices and culture.
This half-day event, delivered in English, will explore various aspects of Open Science. Researchers, lecturers, PhD candidates, and research support staff are all welcome to attend, either in person or virtually.
The University Library and Archives (ULA) is committed to supporting the development of the open science ecosystem at ELTE. One of the speakers at the event is a staff member of the University Library and Archives.
Date and time: 20 May, 2025, 13.30–17.30 (CEST)
Format: In person and online (via Microsoft Teams)
Venue: ELTE Faculty of Education and Psychology (23-27. Kazinczy utca, 1075 Budapest), Floor 3, Room 311
PROGRAM
13.30-14.30 Niamh Brennan (Trinity College Dublin): Introduction to Open Science
14.30-15.00 Q&A and break
15.00-16.00 Tibor Faragó-Szilvási (ELTE ULA): Open Licences and Assisting Digital Tools, Research Security and Open Science
16.00-17.00 Tamás Nagy (ELTE): Open data and version control
Two extremely valuable and rare documents have been loaned by the ELTE University Library and Archives to the temporary exhibition entitled Magic Power – Knowledge. Community. Academy, organised jointly by the Hungarian National Museum and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The exhibition was opened on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, with the aim of providing an insight into the history of the formation and development of Hungarian scientific thought.
The documents on display are of particular value. The author of the first volume is Carolus Clusius (1526–1609), one of the best-known humanists and botanists of the 16th century. The work featured in the exhibition, Rariorum aliquot stirpium per Hispanias observatarum historia, was published in Antwerp in 1576 by Christophe Plantin's famous printers. The lavishly illustrated volume describes the unique flora of the territories under the Spanish crown.
The other work on loan is a colligate volume containing two important scientific works. On display is the work De revolutionibus orbium coelestium by Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543), in which the Polish astronomer explains his heliocentric world view. Although the roots of his theory can be found in ancient Greek philosophy, Copernicus' system had a revolutionary influence on the development of modern science. According to the inscription on the title page, the book was donated to Nicasius Ellebodius by Zakariás Mossóczy, and then passed to János Kecskés, who donated it to the Jesuit College of Bratislava in 1639. The exhibition is open until 26 October 2025 at the Hungarian National Museum.
In April 2025, the inaugural round of LIBER Middle Management Training programme successfully concluded. Launched in January 2025, the LIBER (Ligue des Bibliothèques Européennes de Recherche – Association of European Research Libraries) training was designed to support mid-level managers in research libraries, whether new to leadership or already experienced, in strengthening their management knowledge and leadership skills.
A total of twenty professionals from academic and research libraries across Europe were selected to participate in the first cohort. Among the selected participants was Judit Fejes, a staff member in the Department of Education and Research Support, representing the ELTE University Library and Archives.
Over the course of five thematic modules – Basics of Middle Management, Leading Teams, Communication Skills, Change Management, Conflicts and Resilience, and Reflection – participants developed the core competencies necessary for effective middle management. The training was led by members of the LIBER Leadership Programmes Working Group, with a strong emphasis on group collaboration, active participation, and peer learning.
Each live online session was supported by individual preparation, including reading and writing assignments, which helped lay the groundwork for deeper engagement with the topics discussed.
A strong sense of collaboration emerged among the participants, who came from diverse institutional and national backgrounds. The exchange of experiences proved particularly enriching, offering new perspectives on common leadership challenges. Notably, the content of the final session was shaped based on participant feedback, highlighting the trainers’ responsiveness and commitment to co-creation.
The LIBER Middle Management Training not only empowers individual participants in their leadership journeys, but also contributes to strengthening research libraries as they navigate the evolving demands of the academic environment with prepared, motivated, and reflective leaders.
