Library
The largest special library on religion in the Nordic countries
The Donner Library opened as long ago as 1957 and is today the largest specialist library on religion in the Nordic countries. The library is located in Humanisticum (The Dahlström Palace) at Biskopsgatan 13 in Turku, in the middle of the beautiful Åbo Akademi University campus. The library is open during weekdays between 12.00 and 16.00 (closed in July). Our primary customers are students and researchers of religion, but our library is also open to the general public.
Our collection comprises approximately 90 000 volumes pertaining to research on religion in a broad perspective. The central journals within the field are available in printed form in the library and we can help you to find your way among the e-publications as well.
Book of the month
Uskonto mielessä: Psykologisia näkökulmia uskonnollisuuteen ja henkisyyteen edited by Teemu Pauha and Roosa Haimila, Gaudeamus, 2024
The psychology of religion is often considered one of the sub-fields of the study of religion. Interest in the psychology of religion has fluctuated over the years and has also looked different in different parts of the world. In Finland, a relatively large number of researchers have looked at religion from a psychological perspective. The approaches have been different and varying ideas about how to understand both religion and psychology have been clear. To date, however, no summary study of research on religion and psychology in Finland has been available. Uskonto mielessä remedies this shortcoming.
Uskonto mielessä offers an impressive number of studies on religion and the mind. The book is divided into four parts and also contains a prologue and an epilogue. Part one deals with religion, spirituality and information processing, part two meaning-making and life’s turning points, part three identity and worldviews, and part four the relationship to God and other realities. In addition to showing many possible psychological approaches to the subject of religion, the different chapters also offer thoughts on methodology and approaches. The book is suitable for both university students and the general public.