The oldest library of the National Archives of Estonia is located in Tartu. It was established in 1922, one year after the Estonian State Central Archives. The Estonian Knighthood library, with 2661 titles and approximately 7500 volumes, formed the basis of the collection. The collections have since grown to over 200 000 items, including books, periodicals, maps, manuscripts, prints, etc. 60% were published before 1900. The oldest publications date from the 16th century (38 items), with the earliest from the year 1537. Publications in Estonian and Russian account for 30% and 25% respectively. The remaining 45% are in other languages, mainly German. Many publications cover history (chronicles and church, educational, cultural, art, architectural and Baltic provincial history), genealogy and heraldry. The collection also includes reference works. A separate category is Tartu University publications (dissertations, study plans, statutes and rules, university history and student-related publications). The library’s trade guild publications and miscellaneous publications are highly valuable, particularly those printed in Tallinn in the 17th and 18th centuries, which include many rare items. Library materials may be used only on site in the reading room.

The archives’ library in Tallinn developed from the reference literature department established in 1944. The former party archive library was later incorporated, and the surviving part of the KGB library was added in 1993. At the moment, the library contains about 90 000 items: books, periodicals and short publications dating from the late 19th century onwards, covering history, archival management, law, military science, statistics, economics and other subjects. Many trade guild publications, including rarities, can be found here. The reading room is located on Madara Street in Tallinn.