Public library of the University of Basel, Collections, Academic library in Basel, Switzerland
The University Library Basel is an academic library holding more than eight million items, including printed books, manuscripts, maps, diagrams, and visual documents. These collections are distributed across a main building and several satellite locations.
The library was founded in 1471 and began systematic cataloguing of its collections in 1559. This marked the start of organized academic information management in Switzerland.
The library holds numerous manuscripts and documents from the Council of Basel period (1431-1487), reflecting its role in preserving the intellectual heritage of the city. Visitors can encounter these important historical records that are deeply connected to Basel's past.
The main reading room has 210 work stations and provides access to extensive digital resources. The library welcomes students, researchers, and visitors aged 14 and older.
The library holds the second-largest collection of Friedrich Nietzsche research materials in the world, surpassed only by archives in Weimar. This noteworthy collection attracts scholars from around the globe.
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