Use of our collections

Open access collection in the reading room

You will find an extensive collection of monographs and journals in the Main Reading Room on the second floor. Journals can be found under shelf mark 21/NA, and monographs have an  NZ shelf mark based on a system established in 1984. This collection can be used in accordance with the usual rules of the reading room.

Stacks

Most of the collection is located in the stacks. This literature is indicated by its  traditional shelf marks (Rp stands for "Res patriae"). You can request items from this collection and borrow some of them. In order to protect the collection, archive copies (of deposits) can only be used in the reading room. Usage is also regulated by the location mark; for explanations, see the ‘location guide’ next to the record in the catalogue.

Reference collection

There is a small reference collection with the shelf mark group 30/NZ in the Special Collections Reading Room (third floor); most of these titles are also available in the Main Reading Hall (opening hours).

Protecting rare material

Many unique items may only be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room. We trust you will understand that we wish to preserve these materials for future generations.