Access to the Library’s services is available to all residents and visitors of the area of Mithymni, but also of Lesvos in general, regardless of age. The visit, tour and use of the reading room is free for everyone.
Loans can be made during the Library’s opening hours for the public, which are Monday‐Friday 07:30‐15:00 and Wednesday 17:00‐20:30
Library readers can borrow up to 3 books at a time. Borrowing lasts for 15 days with the possibility of renewal for another week, provided that the charged copy has not been requested by another user. The renewal can also be done by phone at 2253071468
Only printed material is borrowed.
It does not lend:
o Rare and valuable material
o Information books (e.g. dictionaries, encyclopaedias, bibliographies, etc.)
o Exact publications (e.g. scrapbooks)
o Audiovisual material (e.g. cd‐rom, dvd, etc.)
o Material that has deteriorated and needs preservation
o Newly received material, prior to full library processing
o Issues of magazines and newspapers
o Older editions of local history copies
o Local history books that are unique copies
o Archival material
o Manuscripts
o Photographic material
Every reader can reserve a book that is already on loan. A book that is reserved and returned remains in the library for one day on behalf of the person who made the reservation. At the end of this period, it is available for loan.
Borrowed books must be returned to the library on time and in good condition, without notes and damage. In cases of delay of a few days, a simple note is made to the user. However, repeated delays in returning the material will result in the suspension of the borrowing right for a period of one to three months or even the permanent loss of the borrowing right.
In the event of damage or loss of the material, the member must replace it or pay the corresponding fee.
The Library’s items are not catalogued in an online automated library catalogue. However, they are catalogued, largely by subject category, in excel files and partially available on the Library’s website in the Catalogue Menu. A constant effort is being made to complete the cataloging, by the limited number of library staff and members of the Board of Trustees.
The Library’s material is classified using the DDC decimal classification system. In detail:
o (000) General subjects
o (100) Philosophy‐Psychology
o (200) Religion
o (300) Social sciences
o (400) Language
o (500) Science and mathematics
o (600) Technology‐ applied sciences
o (700) Arts and Entertainment
o (800) Literature and Rhetoric
o (900) History – Geography
o (015) Local History ‐ Literature of Lesvos
The Library has set as its long‐term goal the digitization and promotion of all its old and rare documents. Through its participation in various programmes, the Library has proceeded to digitise part of its collections. Part of the Archive of Argyris Efthaliotis, which the Library maintains, manuscripts and minutes of the Municipality of Molyvos, regulations of Greek Schools and Associations mainly in Asia Minor but also in Lesbos and Constantinople, part of the Old Collection, which includes rare publications from Leipzig, Venice, Constantinople, Smyrna, etc., are available in digital form, several sheets of newspapers and magazines dating back to the 19th century, educational and school material from the area of Mithymna, etc.
In the reading room of the Library there are 5 computers for public use. All computers have free internet access. Their use is free and free of charge for everyone. Children, in order to use the computers, must be accompanied by a parent or teacher, if it is a school.
In the reading room of the Library there are 2 computers suitable for people with disabilities, one for the visually impaired and one for people with mobility problems.
Photocopies will not be provided. The service to users, in case they need photocopies, can be done by borrowing the book (if it is borrowed) or by other alternative means (e.g. photography), the application of which, however, ensures that the document is not further damaged. Photography for any reason other than preservation requires the approval of the Library’s Board of Trustees.
The Public Historical Library of Mithymna “Argyris Eftaliotis” has approximately 20,000 printed and audio visual materials, which are constantly increasing. These include rare and valuable editions, dating from the 17th century until today. The special aim of the Library is to gather and preserve publications related either to Lesvos or to the opposite coasts of Asia Minor. As a Public Library addressed to different audiences, includes material of all sciences and arts, as well as children’s books and literature books, which are in particular demand.
