Royal Library of Belgium
Encyclopedia
The Royal Library of Belgium (Koninklijk
e Bibliotheek België in Dutch
, Bibliothèque royale de Belgique in French
, abbreviated KBR and sometimes nicknamed Albertina) is one of the most important cultural institutions in Belgium
. The library has a history that goes back to the age of the Dukes of Burgundy
. In the second half of the 20th century, a new building was constructed on the Kunstberg (Mont des Arts in French) in downtown Brussels
, near the Central Station
. The library owns several collections of historical importance, like the famous Fétis archives, and is the depository for all books ever published in Belgium or abroad by Belgian authors.
The library also houses the Center for American Studies, a new institute of higher learning established by the University of Antwerp
, the Free University of Brussels
, the University of Ghent, and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
, which is internationally accredited for delivering Master of Arts
degrees in American Studies
.
Koninklijk
Koninklijk or Koninklijke is an honorary title given to certain companies and non-profit organizations in Belgium and the Netherlands, by the King or Queen in the respective country. It was first introduced by Louis Bonaparte in 1807, the King of the Netherlands at that time, who awarded the title...
e Bibliotheek België in Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
, Bibliothèque royale de Belgique in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, abbreviated KBR and sometimes nicknamed Albertina) is one of the most important cultural institutions in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. The library has a history that goes back to the age of the Dukes of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks...
. In the second half of the 20th century, a new building was constructed on the Kunstberg (Mont des Arts in French) in downtown Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, near the Central Station
Central station (Brussels)
Bruxelles-Central / Brussel-Centraal is a metro and railway station in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. It is the busiest train station in Belgium and one of three principal train stations in Brussels, but handles primarily domestic traffic...
. The library owns several collections of historical importance, like the famous Fétis archives, and is the depository for all books ever published in Belgium or abroad by Belgian authors.
The library also houses the Center for American Studies, a new institute of higher learning established by the University of Antwerp
University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is one of the major Belgian universities located in the city of Antwerp. The name is sometimes abbreviated as UA.-History:...
, the Free University of Brussels
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is a Flemish university located in Brussels, Belgium. It has two campuses referred to as Etterbeek and Jette.The university's name is sometimes abbreviated by "VUB" or translated to "Free University of Brussels"...
, the University of Ghent, and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a Dutch-speaking university in Flanders, Belgium.It is located at the centre of the historic town of Leuven, and is a prominent part of the city, home to the university since 1425...
, which is internationally accredited for delivering Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degrees in American Studies
American studies
American studies or American civilization is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of the United States. It traditionally incorporates the study of history, literature, and critical theory, but also includes fields as diverse as law, art, the media, film, religious studies, urban...
.
Directors
- 1837-1850 : Frédéric de Reiffenberg
- 1850-1887 : Louis-Joseph Alvin
- 1887-1904 : Edouard Fétis
- 1904-1909 : Henri Hymans
- 1909-1912 : Joseph Van Den Gheyn, S.J.
- 1913-1914 : Dom Ursmer Berlière O.S.B.
- 1919-1929 : Louis Paris
- 1929-1943 : Victor Tourneur
- 1944-1953 : Frédéric Lyna
- 1953-1955 : Marcel Hoc
- 1956-1973 : Herman LiebaersHerman LiebaersHerman Liebaers was a Belgian linguist. He was director general of the central Belgian Royal Library and Marshal of the Royal Household of the Royal Court of Belgium....
- 1973-1990 : Martin Wittek
- 1990-1991 : Denise De Weerdt
- 1992 : Josiane Roelants-Abraham
- 1992-2002 : Pierre Cockshaw
- 2002-2005 : Raphaël De Smedt
- 2005- : Patrick Lefèvre
See also
- Academia BelgicaAcademia BelgicaThe Academia Belgica is an academic organization. The goal of the Academy is to promote the cultural, scientific and artistic cooperation between Italy and Belgium....
- Belgian Federal Science Policy OfficeBelgian Federal Science Policy OfficeThe Belgian Federal Science Policy Office or BELSPO is a Belgian government institution responsible for coordinating science policy at a federal level. It designs and implements research programmes and networks and manages the participation of Belgium in European and international organisations...
(BELSPO) - Center for Historical Research and Documentation on War and Contemporary SocietyCenter for historical research and documentation on war and contemporary societyThe Center for Historical Research and Documentation on War and Contemporary Society is a Belgian federal research and documentation centre based in Brussels. The institute collects documentation and carries out research on the wars and conflicts of the 20th century and their impact on Belgium...
- National and Provincial State Archives
- National Library of the Netherlands