In addition to the Bodel Nijenhuis Collection, the map collections of the former library of the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), and the map collection of the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV), the collection of Maps and Atlases includes several smaller sub…

The Asian special collections comprise tens of thousands of rare books, thousands of manuscripts, maps, prints, drawings and photographs, and hundreds of archives.

The collection of maps and atlases consists of approximately 100,000 map sheets (including c. 3,000 manuscript maps), 3,500 atlases and 25,000 topographical prints and drawings.

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Caribbean Studies

The Southeast Asian Special Collections contain text and audiovisual materials pertaining to the languages, histories, philosophies, religions, literatures, and (material) art of the region. The focus lies on the Malay world, in particular on the Nederlands-Indies/Indonesia. Apart from books and periodicals…

Overview of databases and websites for research in Astronomy

A collection consists of items and parts that have been collected by one or more individuals or institutions not responsible for their formation. An archive has been created by one or more individuals or institutions.

De Boekenwereld is a Dutch language journal on the history of the book and prints. The journal is published by Amsterdam University Press in collaboration with the Royal Library, Allard Pierson|Special Collections of the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University Libraries. Each partner is responsible…

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Molecular Science & Technology

The domain of the post-medieval manuscripts and private archives covers the period from about 1550 to the present. A clear distinction with the medieval manuscripts, however, is difficult to make. There are many undated manuscripts and it is often difficult to date them even within a decade or a quarter…

Leiden University Libraries (UBL) is an internationally recognised research library with world-class collections and advanced services for education and research. The UBL provides these scholarly information services as a trusted partner in knowledge for researchers, teachers and students. We create…

Uniquely within the Netherlands, Leiden University Library also collects objects to document the technical development of photography. Hundreds of historical cameras are part of the colletion, as well as darkroom and finishing equipment (light meters, developing trays, color filters, drying racks, etcetera),…

The NINO Library is an academic research library, specialised in the Ancient Near East.

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Mathematics

Leiden University Libraries (UBL) has donated over 3000 historic photographs and prints on the Dutch East Indies, China, Japan, Singapore and Suriname to Wikimedia Commons, the image database of Wikipedia.

Resources for searching Open Access articles, journals and books

According to a rough estimate the western manuscripts collections and (private) archives contain some 500,000 letters, of which over 300,000 are catalogued. The letters kept in the University archives are not catalogued; the same holds for most letters kept in the oriental collections. They can be found…

What we now call ‘early printed books’ used to be ‘modern’ works in former centuries.

Museums, libraries and similar institutions can request materials for exhibitions from the Special Collections.

The UBL provides access to an endless collection printed and online journal articles

The number of historical and contemporary photographs of Leiden University approaches a half million.

The Western manuscript, archival and letter collections consist of books and documents written in Latin, Greek and Cyrillic script.

The photo collection of South and Southeast Asia contains material collected by the Kern Institute and the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV). In addition to photo prints in various techniques, the collection also includes (lantern) slides, picture postcards…

Searching for relevant scholarly information can be a challenge. These tutorials can help you navigating the catalogue and other databases.

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Cultural Anthropology

Overview of databases en websites for research in the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences