Everything you wanted to know about the National library but were afraid to ask

The National Library has existed for more than 200 years. What is its main mission today, and how has it evolved over the decades?

The National Library of Luxembourg is the country’s leading academic, research and cultural heritage library. Its primary mission is to collect, catalogue and preserve all analogue and digital publications published in Luxembourg, as well as works published abroad that relate to the Grand Duchy. Beyond its Luxembourgish Collection, the Library also manages a wide range of special holdings, including manuscripts, rare prints, graphic works, maps and plans, bindings, scores, sound recordings, illustrated books and artists’ books.

As a research library, about three-quarters of its printed collections come from abroad, covering the full breadth of academic disciplines. Its remit also includes producing the national bibliography, ensuring broad public access through state-of-the-art technologies, coordinating the Luxembourg library network, fostering international cooperation, and operating the Bicherbus mobile library service. Over two centuries, the Library has continually adapted to new formats and new ways of sharing knowledge, while remaining a cornerstone of Luxembourg’s cultural and academic life.

Many people think of a library as a place just for books. What role does the Library play in Luxembourg’s cultural and social life?

The National Library is far more than “just a library full of books.” Today, users can stream films and music from home, read e-books or listen to audiobooks on the go, and access thousands of newspapers and magazines from Luxembourg and around the world — directly on their phone, tablet or computer. Whether someone is passionate about gardening, sport, fashion or DIY, there is a wealth of content to discover. In addition, the Library offers a varied programme of exhibitions, conferences, lectures and cultural events throughout the year. In this way, it enriches daily life and strengthens Luxembourg’s cultural and social landscape.

What are the main services the Library currently offers to residents of Luxembourg?

Registration is free for everyone aged 14 and above, regardless of residency or citizenship. A library card provides access to services such as on-site computers, photocopiers and scanners, group study room bookings, as well as requests from the closed stacks, where 1.6 million documents are preserved. Additionally, users living in Luxembourg and the neighbouring regions may also borrow documents to take home and benefit from a wide range of online resources. At the same time, the building remains open to all: registration is not required to enjoy the Reading Room, consult open-shelf materials on site, or use the high-speed Wi-Fi. Anyone is welcome to walk in and make use of the Library’s facilities.

For expats and cross-border workers: what opportunities do they have to obtain a library card and use the resources?

As outlined above, anyone aged 14 or over can register for free and obtain a library card, including expats and cross-border workers.

Which electronic resources are the most popular among users today?

The volume of electronic resources offered by the National Library makes it difficult to identify a single most-used item, as all are widely consulted. Among the most frequently accessed scientific journals are Nature (Nature Publishing Group), International Journal of Public Sector Management (Emerald), Journal of Cleaner Production (Elsevier, Science Direct) and Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering (Taylor & Francis).

Popular scientific databases include Beckonline, Science Direct, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) and Springer. Among daily newspapers, Le Monde is the most read online, followed by Le Figaro. In terms of e-books, recent favourites have included:

• In English: Brianna Wiest’s 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think and Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
• In French: Marie Vareille’s La dernière allumette and Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker’s Atlas: l’histoire de Pa Salt
• In German: Sebastian Fitzek’s Der erste letzte Tag and Martin Suter’s Melody

The Library’s collection includes millions of publications, including historical documents. What are some of the most unique or valuable items you hold?

The oldest document in the Library’s holdings is a handwritten fragment by Pope Gregory the Great, dating from the 7th century. This remarkable manuscript has been digitised and is freely available online. Another recent acquisition is a Giant Bible from the 11th century, weighing around 25 kilograms and measuring 80 cm wide by 55 cm high when opened. It can be traced back to the scriptorium of Echternach and has been preserved in extraordinary condition. This too is currently being digitised to ensure universal access.

Could you tell us more about the a-z.lu catalogue: how does it help people access information, and what makes it unique?

The a-z.lu search engine provides users with a single access point to printed and digital resources. With just a few clicks, it connects readers to the catalogues of the libraries in the bibnet.lu network (including public and school libraries) as well as to the digitised collections of the National Library and its licensed electronic resources. It is designed as a comprehensive, user-friendly gateway to knowledge.

How far has the Library progressed in digitising its holdings? Will rare documents be made available online in the near future?

Since 2002, the National Library has been digitising Luxembourg’s printed heritage, including periodicals, books, posters and postcards, all freely available on the eluxemburgensia.lu website. Mass digitisation enhances cultural visibility, facilitates access and opens new opportunities for research, while also protecting fragile originals. In addition to periodicals and rare items, the Library is currently digitising out-of-commerce Luxembourgish books (titles that are no longer available in shops) ensuring that they remain accessible to future generations.

The Library regularly organises exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events. Which upcoming projects or events would you highlight for our readers?

The current exhibition on the life and work of Luxembourgish composer Pierre Nimax Sr. runs until spring 2026 (texts only available in German). Alongside exhibitions, the Library hosts a wide range of conferences and lectures in different languages, with details published on its website. Guided tours of the Library, which reveal its collections and behind-the-scenes operations, are also very popular and tend to book out quickly. The best way to stay informed about upcoming events is through the bi-monthly e-mail newsletter.

Are there any programs or initiatives specifically aimed at foreigners and the international community?

All services and events are open to the general public aged 14 and over. The Library does not offer separate programmes specifically for expats or international visitors.

Recently, the Library extended its services and updated its schedule. What other innovations can readers expect in the coming years?

The Library continually adapts to users’ needs. Recent improvements include longer opening hours, the introduction of water bottles in the Reading Room (a rare allowance among national libraries), more work tables and additional lockers for personal belongings. Feedback from users is always welcome and helps shape future developments!

How do you see the future of the Library in the age of digital media and AI — will it remain a physical space, or become more of a digital knowledge hub?

The National Library has long been at the forefront of innovation. It already uses AI in its services and workflows, for example through the eluxemburgensia portal, which hosts an AI-powered chatbot that draws information from digitised Luxembourgish newspapers and magazines. AI-assisted cataloguing is also in development, streamlining the work of creating and enriching metadata (titles, author, subject and many more) for millions of items. This ensures that users can search and find items through the online catalogue. While consultation of printed materials has declined somewhat, physical collections remain widely used. The Library continues to expand its holdings both in print and digital formats, ensuring that it remains both a welcoming physical space and a dynamic digital hub.

If you could give one piece of advice to newcomers in Luxembourg visiting the Library for the first time — where should they start?

The best introduction is simply to visit in person. A walk through the Reading Room offers a sense of the building’s atmosphere and allows visitors to browse freely accessible books and magazines. For a more structured introduction, the Library recommends its guided tours, which provide a comprehensive overview of services and collections. Staff at the reception, loans and information desks are also always happy to help with questions.

Is there a service or feature of the Library that people don’t know about enough, but which you think is very valuable?

Modern libraries are not just dusty, quiet rooms filled with books. The National Library offers a welcoming, flexible environment for learning, exploring and enjoying culture in many forms. Alongside print materials, its collections encompass films, music, audiobooks, newspapers, magazines and databases — both on-site and online. This diversity is perhaps one of its best-kept secrets.

And finally: what 10 books would you personally (or your team) recommend that everyone should read at least once?

The Library does not maintain a fixed “must-read” list. However, subject specialists publish new recommendations every month, which are available on the Library’s website and social media channels. In addition, thematic reading lists are shared throughout the year — recent examples include selections on product design, travel and LGBTQ+ literature.