Glass Dome, Museum, and Four Towers: What to Expect from the Kantiana Neocampus Library

The new library at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University is now 49% complete. Designed as a multifunctional cultural and educational complex, it will become the centrepiece of the Kantiana campus — a venue for academic debates and gatherings, literary heritage and digital innovation, as well as a new museum space for the city.

The three‑storey library is situated within the building of the Higher School of Philosophy, History and Social Sciences, beneath a glass dome whose installation is scheduled for summer 2026. The library will house 330,000 printed volumes alongside virtually unlimited digital resources. Most publications will be available in an open‑access collection, allowing readers to browse the four themed book towers freely. The new academic facility will include two reading rooms, digital services, and communal areas for work, socialising, and study.

1_2 — Photo.jpg To make library visits as smooth as possible, self‑service check‑out and return points will be positioned throughout the complex. A simple action — holding a stack of books to the scanner — triggers immediate recognition of all titles and nearly immediate check‑out or return.

The cultural and educational complex will also be open to Kaliningrad's residents and visitors, not only to university students and employees. Among the planned offerings are guided tours for small groups and publicly accessible popular science lectures.

Maria Mamaeva, Cultural and Educational Centre Director:
Unique works from the renowned Wallenrodt Collection — which ranks among the most valuable holdings of Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University and is a true source of pride for the library — will be placed on regular public display: in the Atrium display cases, on digital panels, and via an interactive book. In this way, university and city visitors will have access to two museum spaces: the Rare Book Library and the Wallenrodt Collection will remain in the beloved historic library building of the Institute of Medicine and Life Sciences.

Maria Mamaeva, Cultural and Educational Centre Director:

Unique works from the renowned Wallenrodt Collection — which ranks among the most valuable holdings of Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University and is a true source of pride for the library — will be placed on regular public display: in the Atrium display cases, on digital panels, and via an interactive book. In this way, university and city visitors will have access to two museum spaces: the Rare Book Library and the Wallenrodt Collection will remain in the beloved historic library building of the Institute of Medicine and Life Sciences.

Additionally, visitors will be able to view the Russian pre-revolutionary editions, and view the book digitisation laboratory.

In January 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the library's design during his visit to IKBFU. That November, the project won the "Best Library Design" category at the Golden Trezzini International Awards.

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Mentioned persons

Maria Mamaeva

cultural and educational center director