Holdings

The library's holdings include manuscripts, early printed books and research literature on all historical disciplines related to the Middle Ages and early modern times. The so-called special collections include the painter's books and Ars librorum, a Bible collection, the graphic collections, historical maps, paintings and other objects.

Paintings

The HAB owns not only one of the world’s most important collections of books but… ...

Other special holdings

There are various other special holdings of cultural interest that have not yet been entered… ...

Music

The HAB’s collection of music manuscripts and printed music spans the period from the ninth… ...

Painter’s books and Ars librorum

The livres de peintre, books of contemporary works by major French painters, form the basis… ...

Fine arts and graphics

Images are to be found almost everywhere in the library’s holdings. Medieval illuminated manuscripts, sketchbooks,… ...

Research literature

Alongside the additions to the collections in the areas of old printed works, manuscripts, music… ...

Old printed works

The library possesses over 400,000 printed works dating to the period 1450–1830. They are organised… ...

Manuscripts

The HAB’s manuscript collection contains some 12,000 manuscripts (of which 2,800 date to the Middle… ...

Electronic media

E-books, licensed database collections, digital alternatives to a library visit, specialised literature from various publishers,… ...