Swiss National Library (NB)

The Swiss National Library (NB) collects, indexes, preserves, and disseminates all content published in Switzerland and related to Switzerland. NB's collection includes nearly 7 million analog and digital documents, including books, newspapers, recordings, and images. NB's units include the Swiss Literary Archive, the Graphic Collection, the Dylan Mattel Center in Neuch â tel, and the Swiss National Sound Archive in Lugano (serving as the sound archive of Switzerland).

The Swiss National Library (NB) is relatively young. This fact is reflected in their collections and buildings from the 1930s.

• 1895: Helvetica series launched

The history of NB began with a four bedroom apartment in the center of Bern in 1895. A year ago, the parliament established the mission of the "National Library": to establish the Helvetica collection since the founding of the federation in 1848.

• 1899: Open to the public

In 1899, NB relocated to the north wing of the newly completed Federal Archives. The new building makes it possible to open collections to the public.

• 1931: Relocation to current location

In 1927, construction began on the NB building located in the Kirchfeld district of Bern, which still exists today. In 1931, she moved into the new building in Hallwylstrasse.

• 1994-2009: New construction and renovation

The characteristics of the turn of the 21st century are computerization and modernization. NB considers technological development and user needs.

In 1991, NB formulated an overall plan to optimize the utilization of its site. The result is two new underground libraries. They provide space reserves before 2038.

The overall plan also includes a careful modernization of the library building. In 2001, the old building was renovated and opened for business. Since then, NB has provided modern technological infrastructure in spacious and partially historic workspaces.

Milestones in Modern History

• In 1991, the Swiss Literary Archive was established

• 1997: East Bookstore opened

• In 2000, the Dilun Matna Ch â tel Center opened for business

• 2001: Opened after renovating the old building

• 2007: Integration of the Federal Monument Preservation Archive

• 2009: West Bookstore opened

• 2010: Swiss monograph catalog closed

• 2010: Integrate online directories into swissbib (the first meta directory for Swiss universities and the Netherlands)

• 2016: Integration of the Swiss National Sound Archive