LUT University held its first alumni event on Saturday, April 13th, attracting a record-breaking over 2,000 former students. Naturally, the library was part of the event, and we managed to attract a large portion of attendees to visit.
In preparing for the event, we delved into the library’s history over the decades while assembling an exhibition on its past. The exhibition featured photographs, newspaper clippings, excerpts from library user guides, and statistics. A lot has changed since the first 138 books were placed on top of a cabinet in the administrative office on Koulukatu in the fall of 1969. Lappeenranta University of Technology and the library moved from various rented spaces in the city center to their own unified premises in the Skinnarila forest in 1974. The library officially relocated to its current location in 1975, and since then, the library’s location has remained unchanged. Many visitors noted that the library felt just as it always had, with the original spiral staircase being a familiar and recognizable feature.
Visitors were particularly impressed by the book exhibitions curated by information services advisor Tuula Heikkanen-Vainikka: “Nature on Loan,” “Drinks for the Thirsty,” and “Welcome to Lappeenranta.” The exhibition also showcased old issues of the university staff’s “Kuulumisia” magazine, along with the students’ own “Aalef” and “Kyylef” publications. The oldest study guides were also available for examination. The old yearbooks, borrowed from the student union, were also very popular, and many attendees checked who studied in their year’s course and marvelled at how young people were back then.
Most visitors sought out their own theses in the library’s ground floor. While many already had their theses at home, seeing them on the library shelves was a moment worth capturing. Many wondered how often their work had been borrowed, and some speculated about the quality of their work based on the borrowing numbers. At least one visitor was pleasantly surprised to find a better grade for their thesis than they had imagined past 30 years.
Also on display were the university’s first diploma thesis, master’s thesis, dissertation, and the first diploma thesis completed by a woman. The theses and dissertations of the library’s own alumni were featured as well. Marja Talikka even contributed her doctoral cap to the exhibition.
LUT University received much praise for organizing Homecoming Day and for the smooth arrangements. The library staff were also thanked for creating a cheerful atmosphere. Many voiced that returning to campus truly felt like coming home. Comments from visitors included: “It looks exactly the same and even smells the same!” and “Everything at the university seems to have changed so much, but the library remains the same!”
Hanna Värri
Information Specialist
LUT Academic Library
Sanna Savolainen
Information Specialist
LUT Academic Library
Marja Talikka
Information Specialist
LUT Academic Library
Artificial intelligence used in the translation.
