Remit and historical overview
Remit and historical overview
Remit
Legal framework
The remit of the National Library of Luxembourg is defined by law and covers several key areas:
- As a heritage library, it collects, preserves, documents and promotes the national cultural heritage, in particular through legal deposit. It develops and manages its collections, including special collections (manuscripts, rare and precious printed materials, music documents, iconographic resources, maps and atlases, and related materials), and produces the national bibliography.
- As a research library, it develops collections of non-Luxembourgosh origin, including printed and digital publications, databases, and audiovisual and sound materials.
- It ensures access to its collections both on site and remotely, through lending services, on-site consultation and the use of modern digital technologies.
- It coordinates and supports the national library network, operates shared information systems, promotes harmonised bibliographic standards, and contributes to the management of metadata and national and international identifiers.
- It engages in research, training and cooperation activities, and organises scientific projects, conferences, exhibitions and educational initiatives.
Related topics
Historical overview
1798
In 1798, the authorities of the French Republic established the first public library in Luxembourg. It was formed from collections of dissolved libraries, including those of the former Luxembourg State Library, the Jesuits, and several religious orders (Echternach, Luxembourg City, Orval). The library was housed in the attic spaces of the former Athénée building.
1850
In 1850, several institutions were brought together. The municipal library, created in 1802, merged with the library of the Athénée de Luxembourg and that of the Society for the Research and Preservation of Historical Monuments, founded in 1845.
1899
In 1899, the library was referred to for the first time as the “National Library” in an official state document, within the draft national budget.
1941–1944
Between 1941 and 1944, the National Library, then known as the “Landesbibliothek”, came under the control of the Nazi authorities. It was relocated to a bank building on Boulevard Royal.
1958
In 1958, the National Library gained legal status through the law of 5 December. Pierre Frieden became the institution’s first director. At the same time, legal deposit was introduced, giving the library a national bibliographic role.
1960
During the 1960s, the National Library strengthened its role as a research library. It gradually phased out its collection of leisure reading and focused on specialised holdings.
1973
In 1973, the National Library moved into the renovated building of the former Athénée on Boulevard Roosevelt.
1989
In 1989, the Centre d’études et de documentation musicales (Cedom) was established within the National Library by grand-ducal regulation of 11 July 1989.
2013
In 2013, the bill for the construction of a new building in Luxembourg-Kirchberg was adopted.
2014
On 26 June 2014, the first soil was turned, marking the beginning of construction of the new building.
2019
Between 1 April 2019 and 30 September 2019, the National Library moved to its new premises in Luxembourg-Kirchberg. On 30 September 2019, the new building was officially inaugurated.
Latest activity reports
Last update