School libraries belonging to the ELTE library network can consult their documents in various databases. While maintaining these systems, the ELTE University Library and Archives developed a common search interface in 2011 within the framework of the TÁMOP-3.2.4/09/1/KMR-2010-0021 project, which can be accessed directly at https://gimikatalogus.elte.hu.

The ELTE libraries' common catalogue is also available by clicking on the menu item marked:

The records of the libraries in the database:

• Apáczai Csere János Gyakorló Gimnázium Könyvtára (11 431 rekords),
• ELTE Gyertyánffy István Gyakorló Általános Iskola (26 556 rekords),
• Radnóti Miklós Gyakorlóiskola Könyvtára (39 578 rekords),
• Trefort Ágoston Gyakorlóiskola Könyvtára (34 265 rekords).

The conversion of school library databases is done at regular intervals. Once a year, usually in November, the data are updated to reflect changes (additions and deletions) from the previous year.

Our chamber exhibition on the Hungarian Jesuits' missions in South America, which opened in 2023 as part of the Cultural Heritage Days series, moved to the virtual space.

Visitors to our exhibition are able to gain insight into a unique selection of manuscripts and printed material. The South American continent was one of the main scenes of the Jesuit Order's flourishing in the 18th century. It was here that the most enthusiastic and adventurous members of the Jesuit Order, including Jesuits of Hungarian origin, carried out their conversion work. If you want to know what adventures the Fathers had in the depths of the jungle, how they canoed down the Amazon or what experiences they had among the Indians, visit our virtual exhibition!

Object of the month – turning fork of dr. Gusztáv Bárczi physician, special education teacher

Dr. Gusztáv Bárczi (Nyitraudvarnok, September 13, 1890 – Budapest, August 9, 1964) was a physician and special education teacher. In 1910 he took the teacher's exam in Léva, in 1913 in Budapest he took the teacher's exam for special education, then in 1921 he obtained a medical degree supplemented with a larynx specialist exam at Pázmány Péter University.

Bárczi initially worked in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department at János Hospital, led by Dr. Béla Török. He achieved internationally recognized results in the education of Hungarian deaf-mutes*. His hearing testing methods extended to both the ear and the central nervous system's ability to perceive sound. He used whispered speech, conversational speech, and various tuning forks in his examinations. The tuning fork presented in the History of Special Needs Education Collection is one of the tools he used.

Regarding his research conducted with the tuning fork, he wrote: „I surveyed 170 students in our institute, of whom I took regular tuning fork images for 80. The tuning fork images show that the ear should not be banished from the Deaf-Mute Institute.”

Referring to Bezold, he states: „With the achievements of technology, the era will validate him and all those who seek to perfect the education of the deaf-mute through the ear rather than through muscle.”

*based on the language use of that time

Source: The official journal of the National Association of Teachers for the Deaf and Blind, XXX. volume, no. 10, 1928, pp. 172-173.

Written by: Tünde, Bodorné Németh; Éva, Keresztessy; Andrea, Perlusz; Krisztina, Bergmann

Photo by: Gyula, Szaffner

During the autumn break, the opening hours of the ELTE ULA Savaria Library and Archives are as follows:

• October 28, 2024 - Monday - 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• October 29, 2024 - Tuesday - 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• October 30, 2024 - Wednesday - 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• October 31, 2024 - Thursday - 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• November 1, 2024 - Friday - Closed

We wish all our readers a pleasant autumn!

The presentations from the professional day Traditions and Challenges XII. organized by the ELTE University Library and Archives at the end of August, are now accessible online.

The recordings, focusing on topics such as Library Support for Journals and Innovation and Visibility, can be viewed anytime on the Videotorium platform, allowing professional audiences to revisit the full program of the conference.

Object of the month – Plaque of the Comenius University in Bratislava

Nearly half of the numismatic material kept in the University Library and Archives - University History Collection are commemorative medals and plaques that our institution received as gifts from partner universities. The plaque made for the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Comenius University in Bratislava, chosen as the artifact of the month, was presented to ELTE for the 375th anniversary of the founding of the Eötvös Loránd University.

The base of both sides of the plaque is an arched door with a flight of steps. Three round pendants were placed on each side of the doors, and one round pendant above them. The coat of arms of the Comenius University can be seen in the main place of the front side, in a larger circle than the others, which depicts the bust of Comenius. The other pendants display the Latin names and symbols or coats of arms of the thirteen faculties of the university. The inscription on the front door reads: "90 UK", which briefly refers to the abbreviation of the Slovak name of the university founded in 1919 (University Komenského v Bratislave) and its age. A young woman and a man can be seen in the door on the back side, each holding a rolled-up document.

A new RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) self-checkout terminal has been introduced at the ELTE ULA Savaria Library and Archives, making the borrowing process even faster and more convenient.

With the new system, readers can independently borrow books without the direct involvement of librarians. All they need to do is place the RFID-tagged books on the terminal, and after identification, they can complete the borrowing in just a few simple steps. This system not only speeds up the process but also ensures a more secure borrowing experience.

The self-checkout terminal is easy to use, and our library staff are happy to assist with any questions. This new service further enhances our library’s commitment to offering modern, user-friendly solutions to our visitors.

We warmly invite you to come and try out the new system!