"Traces of knowledge" - The one-million goal achieved!
Between 22 April 2025 and 30 June 30 2026, Uppsala University carried out the fundraising appeal “Traces of Knowledge”, with the ambitious goal of raising one million SEK. The purpose was to restore the classic study spaces in the older reading rooms at Carolina Rediviva to their former glory.
We are now proud to announce that, thanks to generous contributions from more than 315 donors, the one-million goal has been reached.
A warm thank you to all of you who made this possible. Thanks to your support, the next generation of students and researchers can once again take their place in the reading rooms of Carolina Rediviva.
The reading rooms will reopen on 31 August 2026.
Reading room A. Photograph: Magnus Hjalmarsson
120
desks
55
chairs
115
desk lamps
Johanna Hansson, Library Director at Uppsala University Library
“When future students and researchers sit at a newly renovated study space, they will become part of a long tradition. Perhaps it is the very desk at which Karin Boye, Sven Delblanc, Göran Tunström, or even a Nobel laureate has sat? Preserving this environment is a way to strengthen our collective memory – it is an investment in cultural heritage."
Johanna Hansson, Library Director at Uppsala University Library. Photograph: Magnus Hjalmarsson
Carolina Rediviva – the heart of Uppsala
In Uppsala the pursuit of knowledge is so important that all roads seem to lead to Carolina Rediviva. Standing at the top of Drottninggatan, the main building of Uppsala University Library welcomes all who wish to enter. Carolina Rediviva houses some of Northern Europe's most significant collections of manuscripts, archives, art, maps, and old prints. With 150 shelf kilometres of books and around 1000 visitors per day, the library is a vital hub for scholarly exchange and bridges the University and the local community.
Photograph: Magnus Hjalmarsson
Photograph: Magnus Hjalmarsson
Healing place of the soul (Själens läkehus)
Let yourself be inspired by Carolina Rediviva in the beautiful photo book 'Healing place of the soul'. The book is intended as a walk through the reading rooms and bookshelves, in public spaces and otherwise inaccessible areas, over attics and down into basements, in everyday life and in celebrations, in tranquility and bustle. The text is in Swedish but the photos speak for themselves.
Browse the photo book Healing place of the soul
Do you remember your desk?
“From the moment you enter the doors you are captured by this aura of being in this place. You are really getting taken when you think about for how long it existed. A place where great minds walked in and out and knowledge evolve. You feel very humble to be able to study in such a building.”
- Alumni, student at Uppsala University 2015-2017.
Photograph: Taken in the 1970's in Uppsala
The next generation can now take their place!
During 2025-2026, Uppsala University ran the fundraising appeal "Traces of Knowledge", with the goal of raising SEK 1 million to restore the desks and chairs in the reading rooms at Carolina Rediviva to their former glory. The initiative concluded on 30 June 2026.
Contact
Do you want to know more? Feel free to contact info@alumni.uu.se.