Bamberg State Library

Collections and holdings

The library's holdings span printed books, manuscripts, early printed materials and special collections. Highlights include a large number of medieval illuminated manuscripts and early printed books that reflect the religious and intellectual history of the Bamberg region. Its collections are organized for research use and for preservation, with a growing programme of digitization to make items available online (online access).

History and development

The institution traces its origins to the secularisation reforms of 1803, when monastic and ecclesiastical libraries were transferred to state care. Over two centuries the library has expanded through acquisitions, bequests and systematic collecting, developing reading rooms, cataloguing services and conservation laboratories to protect vulnerable materials.

Services and users

• Reference and reading-room services for scholars and the public
• Interlibrary loan and research support
• Conservation, cataloguing and digitisation projects
• Exhibitions and educational outreach

Access policies balance preservation with study: original manuscripts often require supervised consultation, while digitised surrogates and printed works are generally available to registered readers. The library also collaborates with universities, archives and cultural foundations on research projects and exhibitions.

Notable aspects

Among its strengths are the depth of medieval and early-modern holdings, historical maps and music sources, and active work in making treasures accessible to a wider audience. The Bamberg State Library remains a focal point for the study of regional history and for specialists in manuscript studies, book history and related fields.