2023 marks the 225 year anniversary of the KB. Throughout these years, we have put together a remarkable collection. Old books, rare books, but also collection items that aren’t books at all. Over the next 5 weeks, we will reflect on 5 extraordinary objects from our collection. 

Articles and videos

Twee pagina's van een handgeschreven manuscript, rijk versierd
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The oldest book in our collection.

Every Friday, we will post an article online about an extraordinary object. Each article will have an accompanying video. In these articles, our collection specialists and curators tell you more about the pieces from their own area of expertise. We have published the first article and video today. Ed van der Vlist, curator of medieval manuscripts, shows off the oldest tome in our collection: a manuscript from the time of Charlemagne. 

Interactive sessions

We will also organise 2 sessions in the KB, in which the extraordinary objects can be admired in real life. During the sessions, the experts go into detail about their chosen pieces. The events will take place on Tuesday September 26th and Saturday October 28th. Tickets can be purchased through our web shop. 

More news

KB launches video series: Journey of a medieval manuscript

For its 225th birthday, the KB created a special video series about the journey a medieval manuscript undertakes when it reaches our library. The 6-part series visits various involved experts and thereby provides a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes at the KB.
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Een middeleeuws handschrift

Libraries organise record number of activities

In 2022, libraries organised more activities than ever before. The number of visits to libraries also rose. These are among the findings of an annual study conducted by the KB into the state of Dutch public libraries in 2022.
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Part of the infographic about the library statistics 2022.

First sketches presented of the KB’s new book repository

The architectural firm Office Winhov has presented the first sketches of the new book repository that the KB National Library of the Netherlands is set to build. These so-called Provisional Designs focus on security and sustainability.
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Vooraanzicht van hoe het nieuwe boekenmagazijn er vermoedelijk uit komt te zien. Het gebouw staat in een omgeving met lage flats, groen en een bewoner die toekijkt.