Manuscripts
The Boekentoren holds more than six thousand manuscripts, from precious illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages to single-edition typescripts from the twentieth century. Almost two thousand manuscripts can be consulted online.
The library comprises the Boekentoren and network of faculty libraries. It provides access to published academic research for the academic community, whilst the Boekentoren is also a depository library that houses extensive and significant heritage collections.
The Boekentoren manages one of the largest heritage collections in the Low Countries.
The library collections are searchable via lib.ugent.be where you can consult documents online, request a scan or have items set aside for collection.
The library collections can be searched via lib.ugent.be where you can consult documents online, request a scan or have items put aside for collection.
Ghent University Library 1797-2020
Ruben Mantels has captured the history of the Boekentoren in a beautifully designed book about Ghent University Library and Henry van de Velde's extraordinary tower.
Towers of Books is published by Hannibal Books in collaboration with Sylvia Van Peteghem, the first female head librarian of Ghent University Library.