Fribourg Cantonal and University Library, Kantons- und Hochschulbibliothek in Freiburg (Schweiz)
The Fribourg Cantonal and University Library is an academic institution holding approximately 75,000 books and extensive audiovisual materials including photographs, comics, and documentaries. The main building on Rue Joseph-Piller provides 220 workstations for reading and research, while special collections are housed in the Beauregard district.
The library was founded in 1848 as a cantonal collection and took its current name in 1909 to reflect its dual role serving canton and university. Its rare book holdings grew through donations from monastic communities and local families, creating a collection spanning from the earliest printed works to modern publications.
The library collects all publications from the canton of Fribourg, serving as a living archive of the region's printed history. Its extensive collection of religious works from monastic communities shows the deep influence of church life on local learning and culture.
The library opens early on weekdays and closes late, with shorter Saturday hours and no Sunday service. Admission is free for all visitors, and guided tours can be arranged covering building orientation, catalog introduction, or access to special collections based on visitor interests.
The collection holds 556 incunabula, books printed before 1501 that represent the earliest days of printing and show how rapidly the printed word spread after Gutenberg's invention. Additionally, 46 of these rare titles have been digitized as part of the e-rara project, making them accessible to researchers worldwide online.
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