The Bibliotheque-Nationale-de-France, often abbreviated as BNF, is the national library of France, located in Paris. It is one of the largest libraries in the world, and it serves as both a repository for France's cultural heritage and a major research library.
History
- Founding: The origins of the BNF can be traced back to the late Middle Ages. King Charles V of France established the Bibliotheque du Roi in the 14th century, which later evolved into the BNF.
- Revolution and Expansion: During the French Revolution, the library was nationalized, becoming the Bibliotheque Nationale. This period saw significant expansion as it absorbed numerous collections from confiscated private libraries.
- 20th Century Developments:
- In 1942, the library moved to the Richelieu Library site.
- In 1996, the François Mitterrand site was opened, which now houses the majority of the collection. This new site was designed by architect Dominique Perrault and features four L-shaped buildings known as the "Très Grandes Bibliothèques".
Collection
The BNF boasts an extensive collection:
- Over 14 million books and printed documents.
- More than 150,000 manuscripts, including medieval illuminated manuscripts.
- Over 4 million maps and plans.
- Thousands of hours of recorded sound.
- Significant holdings in photographs, prints, and drawings.
- It also holds the Ars Magna collection, which is one of the largest collections of early printed books in the world.
Services and Accessibility
- The BNF provides reading rooms for various subjects, including music, maps, and manuscripts.
- It has developed digital services, notably Gallica, a digital library that offers access to thousands of documents online.
- It serves as a legal deposit library, receiving copies of all works published in France, ensuring the preservation of the nation's literary output.
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