General Library of the University of Coimbra
Coimbra – Portugal
The library is comprised of two buildings: an old building that was built in the beginning of the 18th century and is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, the Joanina library, which still holds books printed before the beginning of the 18th century, and another building, which was inaugurated in 1962 and which is our main building where we host researchers and students.
We have collections from the 12th century onwards and this continuity allows us to differentiate ourselves from other libraries.
People often ask us to show them the oldest book we have. It is an illuminated Bible produced in Strasbourg in the 12th century which is quite rare. Our most important treasure is a Hebrew Bible from the 15th century. It really is a treasure, because most of them were destroyed by the Inquisition. Another treasure is a map produced by a Portuguese cartographer around 1566. It is a map for navigating.
For a university to possess a general library is a wonderful opportunity because it is possible to find books on all subjects and to establish connections. It is a place where researchers and students meet.
This library has an identity that is not only academic, not only national, but also European. This identity is explained by the international nature of our collections, and also by the fact that our university has always had international contacts that have been very interesting and important.