Meeting place for readers: With about 8 million books and objects the Austrian National Library is Austria’s biggest library. As the country’s central scholarly library it looks back over a history rich in tradition as far back as the 14th century. Today it is a modern centre of knowledge and culture dedicated to competent service.

Among the most important tasks of the Austrian National Library are:

• collecting and archiving of all publications appearing in Austria, including electronic media
• collecting and archiving foreign country publications by Austrian authors as well as those on Austrian intellectual and cultural life
• timely preparation and making available of its holdings
• services offering information, carrying out of research, international inter-library loans, advice to and training of clients, reproduction services
• recognition of a general educational task through cooperation with schools, universities, and adult education institutions.

The Austrian National Library consists of eight special Collections as well as the Modern Library:

Picture Archives and Department of Graphics
Department of Maps and Globe Museum
Department of Music
Literary Archives
Department of Papyri and Papyrus Museum
Department of Planned Languages and Esperanto Museum
Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books
Archives of the Austrian Folk Song Institute (in German)