The heritage collection of the University Library is one of the most important heritage collections in Belgium (after the Royal Library). Because the collection dates back to the time of the confiscation of convent and abbey libraries, the collection holds a lot of religious and liturgical titles (e.g. comments on the bible, books of hours). But the collection is also known for its humanistic and reformation works (Erasmus, Virgil, Luther, Calvin). Other sets in the heritage collection deal with: literature, history, architecture, law and legal practice; scientific works about medicine, botanics, mathematics (e.g. Jan Yperman, Dodoens, Stevin) and historical works like chronicles, pamphlets, atlases (e.g. Mercator, Ortelius, Blaeu). The collection of auction catalogues, letters, almanacs, calendars is special as well. Additionally there is a historical collection of newspapers, electoral papers, papyri, manuscripts, Gandavensia (works about Ghent or printed in Ghent), ephemera and graphic materials.

 

Size

The University library holds approximately 1.500.000 to 2.000.000 volumes, 5000 journals and series and 4000 newspapers (20 current).

The special collections hold some

136 papyri 6.500 manuscripts 700 incunabula 10.000 early printings (pre-1600) 40.000 letters more than 100 private archives 5.000 microforms 20.000 maps 2.000 architectural plans 2.600 ancient coins 2.600 medieval and modern coins 2.700 medals 5.000 drawings

10.000 illustrated posters 10.000 text-posters 20.000 pieces graphic art 60.000 photographs 30.000 auction catalogues 1.500 almanachs obituary cards 30.000 death notices appr. 1.000.000 ephemera pamphlets Gandavensia Bibliotheca Dominicana.