Bibliothèque Nationale de France

The Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand is the flagship site of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF). Established in 1996 and named after President François Mitterrand, it consolidates several previously separate collections and departments. The BnF itself traces its origins to the royal library established by Charles V in 1368, expanding into a comprehensive national repository and scholarly institution over centuries. François Mitterrand initiated the construction of this library as part of his grand project to create one of the largest and most modern libraries in the world, which includes extensive public access facilities as well as research functions.

The library's holdings reflect the accumulation of French national heritage, including legal deposits from French publishers, purchases, and donations. Since the 1990s, the BnF has incorporated electronic records, with systematic digital archiving through the Gallica digital library, a major resource for French-speaking and international researchers.

Holdings are acquired via legal deposit, donations, and acquisitions; the electronic archiving initiative includes direct digital submissions from publishers.

he Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand holds collections that cover diverse areas, including literature, science, law, history, geography, and digital archives. Notable among its collections are the Manuscript Department, Rare Books and Special Collections, the Performing Arts Collection, and an extensive Audio-Visual Department.