Swiss National Library: the memory of a nation

Almost inconceivable: everything published since the foundation of the Swiss Confederation in 1848 in and about Switzerland has been gathered together here on thousands of linear metres of shelving – books, newspapers and electronic documents. This makes the National Library the most important source of information about our history and present day from authentic material. The Swiss Literary Archives is also part of the National Library. It collects and makes available the estates of leading writers like Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Mani Matter or Blaise Cendrars. The Print and Drawing Collection preserves a visual memory of Switzerland. The great National Archive opens its inventories to the general public: carefully designed exhibitions and publications throw light on Switzerland and its changing identity.