Biblioteca Nacional Miguel Obregon Lizano, National Library near Parque Nacional, San José, Costa Rica

The Biblioteca Nacional Miguel Obregón Lizano stands beside the Parque Nacional in central San José, surrounded by government buildings. It is a reference and research library, not a lending one: it holds three copies of every book published in Costa Rica, plus study areas and a reference desk. Its shelves reach back to 16th-century publications.

The library was founded in 1888 and built upon the collection from the University of San Thomas, which had closed shortly before. This merger of two collections formed the core for growth into one of the country's major memory institutions.

The library carries the name of Miguel Obregón Lizano, born in Alajuela on 19 July 1861, who pushed for a national library after the University of Santo Tomás closed and was declared Benemérito de la Educación in 1935. The name was conferred in 1961, the centenary of his birth. The Sala de Colecciones Especiales is named after director Adolfo Blen Muñoz.

The building offers visitors access to reference materials and work areas, though items cannot be borrowed for use outside the premises. Before visiting, check which specialized collections are currently available and plan time for your research, as some materials may require advance notice.

The Sala de Colecciones Especiales Adolfo Blen holds rare books and manuscripts from the 16th century, including scientific works by early naturalists. This collection reveals how Europeans documented their observations and findings about the region during that distant period.