About Us

The National Library of Sweden has been collecting virtually everything printed in Sweden or in Swedish since 1661. We have made the material available to the public, who can visit the library to request and read all the different types of texts.

The Department of Audiovisual Material (previously the Swedish National Archive of Recorded Sound and Moving Images) collects TV and radio programs, movies and videos distributed in Sweden, Swedish music and multimedia recordings.

The National Library is also a humanities research library that purchases scholarly literature in several languages. We coordinate services and programs for all research libraries in Sweden and administer and develop LIBRIS, the national library catalog system.

The National Library of Sweden is a state agency. We are a staff of about 400 and our offices are in Stockholm.  

Biblis

Our sister organization, The Biblis Society, is devoted to stimulating interest in books and the National Library Collections. The society’s activities include publication of a magazine.

Prize for beautiful books

Swedish Book Art is an association dedicated to the book as an art form. Each year, certificates of achievement are awarded to 25 books in recognition of their beauty and craftsmanship. The award-winning books are on display at the National Library.