A finger on the pulse of literature
Whether it be the poems of Ingeborg Bachmann, plays by Ödön von Horvath or novels by Peter Handke, you can find the originals in the Literary Archive, one of the most important institutions of its kind in the German-speaking region. We collect and acquire literary legacies, both pre- and post-death, of Austrian authors from the 20th century (notably from 1945) and make them available for research purposes.
We were recently able to acquire a significant portion of the literary estate of the Jewish intellectual and salonnière » Bertha Zuckerkandl.
Christmas opening hours Collections:
On 24, 25, 26 and 31 December 2017 as well as on 1 and 6 January 2018 our Collections are closed. On all other days between 23 December 2017 and 5 January 2018 the regular opening hours are valid.
Change of library system
The Austrian National Library is currently changing its library system. In coordination with numerous university libraries and other academic libraries in Austria, the old ALEPH 500 system is being replaced by the new ALMA system, mainly because it makes administering electronic media and digital objects far easier. On account of this system change and the associated migration of several million datasets, from 4 January 2018, 2 p.m., to 15 January 2018, 9 a.m., the following services will not be available anywhere in the library: • Electronic ordering of media via QuickSearch • Borrowing/return of media • Reservations • Extension of media loans • Sale/extension of library tickets (annual and day tickets) • Online reprographics orders • Online inter-library loan orders • External access to databases for which users have to register (they can still be used in the library) Research can still be carried out using QuickSearch during the transition phase. In urgent cases, we will be able to provide holders of annual tickets with media if they fill in an order form by hand. Please contact the information desk in the user area on the Heldenplatz or − depending on the location of the media according to the catalogue − the issue desks of the collections. The information desks will also accept reprographics orders or they can be sent by email to information@onb.ac.at. Orders for inter-library loans can be sent during these periods by email to fernleihebestellung@onb.ac.at. Borrowing works to take out of the library (local lending) is unfortunately not possible. Thank you for your understanding.