raamatukirjad

Raamatukirjad, often translated as "book letters" or "library letters," refers to a practice primarily associated with the tradition of libraries in Estonia and other Baltic regions. These letters are essentially inscriptions or annotations made within books, often for the purpose of identification, ownership, or lending. Historically, when books were more scarce and valuable, marking them was a common way to keep track of who owned them or who had borrowed them.

These inscriptions could take various forms. Some might be simple handwritten names or initials, indicating the owner of the book. Others might include dates of purchase or acquisition, providing a chronological record. In lending libraries, raamatukirjad could also denote the borrower, sometimes with a due date. These markings are valuable historical documents today, offering insights into literacy, book circulation, and the social history of the time. They can reveal patterns of readership, the spread of knowledge, and the daily functioning of libraries and private collections. While modern library systems have largely replaced the need for such manual annotations, raamatukirjad remain a fascinating and tangible link to the past of book ownership and usage.