Leiden University is famous for its library’s large collection of Oriental manuscripts. Part of this collection is a group of 104 Arabic documents written on papyrus and paper (Or. 8264 and 12885). These documents date from the 7th through 10th century CE and cover a wide range of subjects (private…

Leiden University Libraries (UBL) has been able to acquire four remarkable medical manuscripts partly thanks to support from the Friends of Leiden University Libraries, the Pieter van Foreest Stichting and the Van de Sande Fonds. All four are largely written in Dutch and can be dated between 1595 and…

On Friday, March 10th Latvian ambassador dr. Ilze Rūse visited Leiden University Library and met a Leiden delegation led by Rector Magnificus Carel Stolker.

Erik Kwakkel, researcher at the Faculty of Humanities, has found an extraordinary manuscript in the University Library’s extensive collection of medieval books. The book in question dates back to the first half of the eleventh century and is made entirely out of waste left over from the production of…

Special visit of seven ambassadors of the Arabic-speaking world to the University Library

A rare medieval bookmark emerged in Leiden University Library. Book historian Erik Kwakkel found the disk in an archive of manuscript descriptions called the Bibliotheca Neerlandica Manuscripta. It was likely put their in the early twentieth century by Willem de Vreese, who made the descriptions. The…

From mid-September two exhibitions with maps from the collections of Leiden University Libraries are on view. Mapping Asia opens in the National Museum of Ethnology and Mapping Japan in Japanmuseum SieboldHuis. The exhibitions are organised in the context of Leiden Asia Year and the symposium 'Mapping…

Leiden University has acquired previously unknown dummy material by Dutch photographer Ed van der Elsken (1925-1990). These are sketch versions of the photo book Sweet Life from 1966, which give unique insights into the creative process behind the photo books.

The Central Asia project, funded by Asian Modernities and Traditions, has engaged in strengthening the Leiden University library collection in the areas of material culture, history, languages and geopolitics in Central Asia. UNESCO International Institute for Central Asian Studies (IICAS) and the Embassy…

The African Studies Centre Leiden collection (ASCL) will shortly become accessible via the Catalogue of the Leiden University Libraries (UBL).

Leiden University is to have a unique expertise centre on Asia. This centre, the Asian Library, will hold extremely rare Asian collections and offer new opportunities for teaching and research.

The library of the Papyrological Institute is the most complete facility for papyrological studies in the Netherlands.

The University Libraries provide access to a wealth of information: from e-journals, e-books and databases to printed material. The libraries are more than just a gateway. As a service organization we also help researchers find information, manage their data, assess the best places to publish their…

The library of the NVIC is an academic reference library. The goal of the library is to support academic research and the teaching programmes of the NVIC in the fields of Arabic studies and Egyptology. However, the collection contains publications for a more generally interested public as well.

As an alumnus of Leiden University, you can continue to use the Leiden University Libraries (UBL) throughout your life. You can also continue to use your ULCN account and uMail address after your graduation.

The new Asian Library at Leiden University is now open for use. Located on a new floor on top of the University Library at the Witte Singel, it is available for students and researchers of Asian languages and cultures.

Johannes Thysius, a 17th-century inhabitant of Leiden, left behind the Thysiana Library, the Netherlands' first private library to be open to the public. PhD candidate Esther Mourits reconstructed how Thysius built up his collection and why he opened it to the public. PhD defence 14 December.

Here you can find regular updates about our library.

Leiden University Libraries (UBL) have an enormous archive of books, maps of the world, manuscripts, letters, photos, drawings and other objects. Altogether, a wealth of culture.

Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to reach their potential.

Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to reach their potential.

Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to reach their potential.

Our library contains around 23,000 books, journals and historical documents under the care of a specialized librarian.

Leiden University offers ambitious students state-of-the-art knowledge and the freedom to develop their own area of expertise.

Leiden University offers ambitious students a great environment in which to reach their potential.

Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to reach their full potential.

From 25 December till 3 January, all University buildings will be closed. The University Library and a number of faculty libraries will have limited opening hours.

Follow the setting up of the Asian Library, a new center of expertise at Leiden University.

Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to reach their potential.

Leiden University offers ambitious students the opportunity to gain state-of-the-art knowledge, coupled with the freedom to develop their own area of expertise.

Leiden University offers ambitious students the latest knowledge and the freedom to develop their own area of expertise.

Seven large reproductions of works by Rembrandt on seven Leiden University buildings reveal the relationship between the painter and the University. Rembrandt van Rijn enrolled in the University in 1620 and painted the portraits of various alumni of the University. In addition, the University Library…

Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to reach their potential

On 14 September Queen Máxima symbolically opened Leiden’s new Asian Library. In a Pieterskerk filled with international guests, the queen received the new and richly illustrated book about the special collections of the Asian Library. She also visited the new library and spoke with several researche…

Leiden University offers ambitious students a great environment in which to reach their potential.

Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to reach their potential.

What do you think of our libraries, the (digital) collections, services and the library staff? The Leiden University Libraries (UBL) would like to know!

Leiden University is building a new Asian Library on top of the University Library (UB) at the Witte Singel in Leiden. Work starts on 26 April 2016, and is expected to last until the end of December.

Leiden University offers ambitious students a world-class environment in which to reach their potential.

The Linguistics master’s programme at Leiden University offers unique linguistic specialisations taught by a highly acclaimed teaching staff, in addition to the opportunity to follow a programme that matches your specific interests in linguistics and the study of languages.

Leiden University was the first university to be established in the Netherlands. William of Orange gave Leiden Academia Lugduno Batava in 1575, it is said in recognition of the city’s courageous resistance against the seige by the Spanish invaders.