Basel University Library

Geschichte

The Basel University Library is one of the largest libraries in Switzerland. The library is located at the University of Basel, Schönbeinstrasse 18/20, 4056, Basel, Switzerland and is also Kantonsbibliothek of Basel-City.The local name for the library is Universitätsbibliothek (literally translated: University Library). It contains more than 3,000,000 documents including 1,750 medieval manuscripts. Its collection includes numerous incunabula and manuscripts dating from the time of the Council of Basel (1431–87).The majority of library resources are freely available to the public and most of the books can be electronically accessed and ordered.University Library of Basel/ Basel University LibraryThe University Library of Basel is the central library of the University of Basel.Historical backgroundThe first written evidence of the library's existence dates from the year 1471; its early date makes it one of the most important libraries of the country. The library began compiling its catalogue in volumes from 1559 to 1889, when began organizing its material by a so-called „Zettelform“ (or, roughly, list form, where the items of the catalogue can be found by author name). This was later changed to a subject heading catalogue in 1939.In 1886, ten years before the library was moved to its own building, the first curatorial librarian was employed. Between 1962 and 1968, the library's current location was found. The library of medicine was later founded, in 1978, as a subsidiary of the original library and which can now be found in the Basel University Hospital (earlier: Basel Cantonal Hospital).

"Die UB Basel ist mit ihren fünf Standorten eines der wichtigsten öffentlichen Informationszentren der Region. Mit einem Bestand von rund 7.5 Millionen Büchern und E-Books, Fachdatenbanken und Zeitschriften sowie ihrem bedeutenden, bis ins 8. Jahrhundert zurückreichenden historischen Bestand gehört sie zu den grossen wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken der Schweiz. Zugleich ist die UB Kantonsbibliothek von Basel-Stadt und für die Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. In ihrer Rolle als Vermittlerin zwischen Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft bietet sie verschiedenen Anspruchsgruppen einen vielseitigen Lern- und Begegnungsraum."