Swiss National Library

You can find around 8 million documents in the Swiss National Library (NL), including works by Swiss authors, publications from or about Switzerland, and all Swiss newspapers and magazines. The NL houses a large collection of geographic maps, sheet music and digital publications. You can browse the "Web Archive Switzerland”, explore documents from the Swiss Literary Archives and the Prints and Drawings Department, or use an audio station to access the National Sound Archives’ extensive collection. Borrowing publications is free of charge. The NL has a large reading room where users can work and an exhibition space for displaying objects and works that address topics facing the country and its populace. The NL also regularly hosts events including readings, lectures, panel discussions, literary soirées and special programmes during major events like the Bern Museum Night. 

As a centralised institution for preserving cultural memory, the NL bridges the past, present and future. It reflects the country’s diversity and multilingualism while promoting community and innovation. The NL is an institution of the Federal Office of Culture.

The Swiss National Library is temporarily relocating. From 30 November, you will find us at Monbijoustrasse 74 in Bern. Further information