Reference libraries

The Reference Libraries Special Collections are situated in and around the Reading Room. You will find important reference works and journals in the field of eastern and western manuscripts, the printed book, cartography, prints, drawings and photography here.

Opening hours

Monday – Friday 
9:00 – 17:30

Different reference libraries

All the books in the Special Collections reference libraries can be found in our catalogue. The reference libraries are located on the second floor; in the Special Collections Reading Room and on both sides of the Reading Room. 

Entrance 3 provides access to journals and reference books on image collections: prints, drawings, photographs, maps and atlases. 

Entrance 4 (and the door on your right) provides access to journals and reference books on text collections: western manuscripts, oriental manuscripts and rare books. 

In the Reading Room (entrance 4) you will find reference works such as catalogues and inventories of Leiden's special collections. Also, there are many facsimiles, both from our own collections and from elsewhere.