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About The National Library of Spain
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Parallel Histories Home >> About the Site >> About The National Library of Spain |
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Founded in 1712 as the Royal Public Library, the National Library of Spain today is one of the world’s great national libraries. In 1716 King Philip V decreed that a copy of each book published in Spain be sent to the Royal Public Library. During the 18th century, the Royal Public Library amassed a remarkable collection containing books, valuable manuscripts, maps, prints, coins, medals, and archaeological objects. The library's goal was to gather a documentary history of Spain. A succession of monarchs, their families, and retainers showed a special interest in the library and often visited the institution. Due to this interest, the library grew rapidly--it housed 60,000 books and other items, including more than 5,000 manuscripts and codices, a mere 50 years after its foundation. In 1729 the Royal Public Library published its first catalog, Juan de Iriarte's "Regia Matritensis Bibliotheca Geographica et Chronologica." Today it publishes Bibliografía española, listing all books deposited in the institution. In 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain, seized control of the government, and sent King Ferdinand VII into exile. When Napoleon abolished all religious orders in 1809, the Royal Public Library became the repository of 58,012 volumes from monastery and convent libraries and archives. Many families also transferred their private collections to the Royal Public Library. In 1836 it became the National Library of Spain, charged with collecting materials concerning the country’s history. The collections grew rapidly. Specialists at the library kept track of literary prizes and collected periodicals, pamphlets, and broadsides. By the middle of the 19th century, the library housed more than 200,000 volumes and was without doubt the largest library in Spain. The National Library of Spain moved to its current location in 1896, at which time its coins and archaeological artifacts were transferred to the National Museum of Archaeology. Today the National Library of Spain houses more than 6 million books and periodicals, 25,000 manuscripts, 3,000 incunabula, 238,000 rare books, and a wealth of prints, photographs, maps, posters, sheet music, voice and video recordings, and CD-ROMS. A partner in Parallel Histories: Spain, the United States, and the American Frontier, the National Library of Spain houses a substantial number of rare books, manuscripts, maps, prints, and other materials which relate to the Spain’s presence in the Americas. |
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La Biblioteca Nacional de España
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Historias Paralelas Inicio >> Información sobre el sitio >> La Biblioteca Nacional de España |
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