University of Coimbra General Library

The University of Coimbra General Library (Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra) is the central library system of the University of Coimbra in Coimbra, Portugal. The library includes the historic Biblioteca Joanina and the modern Edifício Novo ("New Building"), which together preserve millions of volumes and archival materials spanning numerous academic disciplines. The origins of the library predate the permanent transfer of the university from Lisbon to Coimbra in 1537. Records from the early sixteenth century describe a university library known as the Livraria de Estudo ("Study Library"), with inventories from 1513 and 1532 documenting more than 120 manuscript volumes. Following the university's reestablishment in Coimbra in 1537, the library was reorganized for use by students and professors. University statutes issued during the sixteenth century expanded its opening hours and described it as a public library serving lecturers, students, and other users. In the early eighteenth century, during the reign of King John V of Portugal, the university constructed the Biblioteca Joanina, one of the best-known examples of Baroque architecture in Portugal. Construction began in 1717 and was completed in 1728. The library was named in honor of King João V and became the university's principal library during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The Biblioteca J

Library data from Wikidata (CC0). Summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).