New to the Library

The National Library is not like other libraries. Our collections are here for you to study today, but also for your relatives 100 years from now. Here is what you need to know before your visit.

What distinguishes the National Library from other libraries is that most of the collections cannot be borrowed and taken home. Instead, you access it on site.
Because the collections are so extensive, most materials are stored in underground stacks and not in the library itself. That means you need to order them in advance – much of it can be requested from home. Read about how to access the collections.
To access the collections, you must be over 18 and have a special library card. Register here! External link, opens in new window.
When you arrive at the National Library, you must store your outerwear, bags, laptop cases, and other large items in a locker. This is to help protect the collections.
Lockers are located in the room directly to the right as you enter through the main entrance. The lockers are free of charge, and you can pick up a transparent plastic bag for your small personal items. Please note that nothing larger than a laptop may be brought into the library.
Most of our collections cannot be borrowed for home use. Instead, they are studied on-site in the Main Reading Room, the Research Reading Room or the Special Reading Room. Please note that these reading rooms are intended for users accessing the National Library’s materials.
Keep in mind that the opening hours may vary between the different reading rooms. See our opening hours.
Foreign literature in the humanities is usually available for home loan.

The Main Reading Room.
In the Annex, you’ll find study spaces across several floors where you can study your own material. There are also a couple of places where you can sit in groups. However, we have no group rooms for booking.
The Annex is located straight ahead and down the stairs from the main entrance.

Studying areas in the Annex.
You can use your own computer in the reading rooms and in the Annex. Power points are available at most seating areas. There are also a number of computers for researching the collections. Please note that the computers do not have word processing software or USB ports.
At the National Library, you have free access to the wireless network KB-Wifi-Free. No login is needed, but you must accept the terms and conditions to connect.
Unfortunately, you are not allowed to bring food, drinks, fruit or sweets into the library. This is to protect the materials from damage. However, there is a lunch restaurant one floor down and a café next to the entrance. In the inner part of the café, you are welcome to eat food you’ve brought with you..
Read about Restaurant Sumlen and Café Valfrid

Book damaged by coffie.
Please remember that the National Library is a workplace for many researchers and students. Private conversations may take place outside the reading rooms and in the Annex.

The Annex.